The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) presented awards on April 12 that honored 19 individuals and one organization for exemplary achievements in promoting highway safety.

One of the 19, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, was given the Safety Champion award for his extraordinary efforts in reducing alcohol-impaired driving throughout his tenure as governor.

The awards were presented at Lifesavers 2010, the 28th annual Lifesavers conference. Lifesavers is an independent group dedicated to reducing transportation related deaths.

“Safety is Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s highest priority, and each of you earning these awards today made safety your priority as well,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland in a press statement. “By getting involved in your communities you’ve elevated safety, saved lives and prevented many deaths and injuries on our nation’s roadways.”

Lifesavers 2010 expects to bring in hundreds of people for workshops and to share information on a wide range of safety topics. Attendees include people from community traffic safety programs, state and local emergency medical services, injury prevention programs, state and local law enforcement, federal and state highway agencies, prosecutors and judges, and the automotive and insurance industry. While there, attendees will view multiple exhibits dealing with traffic safety products and programs.

The names of the individuals and organization honored and plaque citations are as follows:

The Honorable Bill Richardson, Governor of New Mexico, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Safety Champion Award. In recognition of your extraordinary leadership, personal advocacy, and innovative policies to reduce alcohol-impaired driving crashes and fatalities in the State of New Mexico throughout your term as Governor.

State Rep. Fred Allen, Arkansas House of Representatives, District 33, Little Rock, Arkansas. In recognition of your leadership and commitment to saving lives and reducing injuries in Arkansas by sponsoring a primary seat belt law.

The Honorable Jim Doyle, Governor of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. In recognition of your leadership role in guiding Wisconsin to enact and enforce a primary seat belt law.