Nine Individuals, Three Organizations Receive 2026 NHTSA Public Service Awards

News

Trump’s Transportation Department Celebrates Traffic Safety Advocates Committed to Making American Roads Safer

Department recognizes public awareness campaigns across the country aimed at reducing traffic fatalities

Share: April 22, 2026 | Washington, DC The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this week celebrated nine individuals and three organizations committed to making roads safer for American families.

“These devoted traffic safety professionals we are honoring represent the important work underway across the country to save lives. Their dedication, commitment, and passion help make their cities and states safer places to drive, walk, and ride,” NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison said. “I congratulate the awardees for their outstanding achievements and thank them for helping NHTSA deliver on its lifesaving mission.”

Administrator Morrison presented honorees with a 2026 NHTSA Public Service Award plaque at the Lifesavers National Conference on Roadway Safety in Baltimore, the largest annual gathering of traffic safety professionals in the United States.

List of 2026 NHTSA Public Service awardees:

Shepherd Center
Atlanta, GA
Citation: For the implementation and delivery of the “Georgia Rural Roads, It’s About Us” seat belt campaign resulting in a reduction of unrestrained fatalities in Laurens County, GA.

Cody Beers
Public Relations Specialist, Wyoming Department of Transportation
Riverton, WY
Citation: For your use of positive reinforcement and community engagement to promote safe driving behaviors on and around the Wind River Reservation.

Robert Blakley
Assistant Chief of Police, Fairfax County Police Department
Fairfax, VA
Citation: For your leadership in the renewed commitment to improving traffic safety through community engagement, education and enforcement resulting in a 50% reduction in traffic fatalities in Fairfax County.

Ashley Boles
Breath Alcohol Testing Mobile Program Coordinator, Black River Technical College Law Enforcement Training Academy
Pocahontas, AR
Citation: For expanding lifesaving sobriety checkpoints throughout the state of Arkansas.

Bob Criswell
Law Enforcement Liaison, Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police
Frankfort, KY
Citation: For successfully implementing data-driven, multiagency efforts to increase seat belt use and reduce unrestrained fatalities in rural Kentucky communities.

Christy King
Founder and Executive Director, Christopher King Foundation
Williamsburg, VA
Citation: For your advocacy work to gain support for stronger seat belt legislation in Virginia resulting in the passage of House Bill 2475.

Matthew Langer
Colonel (Retired), Minnesota State Patrol
St. Paul, MN
Citation: For improving law enforcement and traffic safety through the implementation of data-driven high-visibility enforcement strategies.

New York’s Oral Fluid Drug Testing Program
New York State Police
Albany, NY
Citation: For the implementation and facilitation of an evidentiary oral fluid testing program in the state of New York.

Dave Obermiller
Sergeant, Puyallup Police Department
Puyallup, WA
Citation: For your work resulting in increased high-visibility enforcement participation by law enforcement across Washington’s Region 5.

Permian Road Safety Coalition
Midland, TX
Citation: For your innovative work bringing together stakeholders to reduce roadway fatalities across the Permian Basin.

AJ Silvey
Corporal, Sedalia Police Department
Sedalia, MO
Citation: For your outstanding work in organizing the SAFE Coalition and spearheading multiple traffic safety projects that resulted in reductions in motor vehicle injuries in Sedalia, MO.

Roberta Tiger
Highway Safety Specialist, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
Eagle Butte, SD
Citation: For your tireless work to increase seat belt and car seat use on the Cheyenne River Reservation.

Contact:

NHTSA

NHTSA Media NHTSAmedia@dot.gov 202-366-9550