AAA Gives National Traffic Safety Award to Communities in Arizona, California, and New York

    WASHINGTON--Oct. 8, 2001--AAA recognized the communities of Paradise Valley, AZ; LaMirada, CA; the Township of Washington, NJ (Bergen County) and three communities in New York as having among the best programs in the country to reduce traffic-related deaths and injuries.
    These towns and cities have earned AAA's highest and most prestigious honors in the area of community traffic safety. AAA bestowed its Platinum award to these jurisdictions as an example to the nation of great achievements in traffic safety.
    "Identifying and successfully addressing hazardous local traffic problems is a serious challenge for communities across the United States," said Charles Butler, AAA Director of Traffic Safety. "These communities have shown incredible leadership in developing workable solutions that have saved lives and property."
    New York City received the Community Traffic Safety Platinum for the third time by achieving a 49% decrease in driver fatalities while decreasing pedestrian fatalities by 73%. Also, the city's occupant protection fatalities were down 45% and it achieved a 72% reduction in its impaired driving fatalities.
    The Township of Washington, NJ (Bergen County) achieved its top award by increasing bicycle helmet use above 90% for five years and increasing seatbelt use above the national average for three straight years.
    Paradise Valley, AZ garnered its award by reducing auto crashes by 47% with a photo speed enforcement program. It also achieved a significant decrease in the number of red light runners by implementing its red light enforcement program.
    LaMirada, CA received the top honor by boasting a five year trend of steady decreases in collisions in both auto and bicycle crashes.
    Two additional New York communities also achieved AAA's distinguished Platinum Award. The City of White Plains, NY established a five year trend in decreasing pedestrian accidents by installing audible signals and "yield to pedestrian" signs. Garden City, NY maintained a five-year trend by decreasing the number of DWI crashes, non-restrained occupants and bicycle accidents.
    Although the communities mentioned stood out among the 53 applicants vying for the top awards, AAA also recognized 12 other communities with a special gold award for presenting statistical evidence of safety program effectiveness.
    "The purpose of the award program is to give national and local recognition to these great efforts that have advanced the cause of traffic safety so they can be shared and emulated by others," said Butler.
    As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides its members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.

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