City Earns Bronze Award in AAA’s Community Traffic Safety Program

BUFFALO, N.Y., February 8, 2010 – AAA Western and Central New York recognized the City of Niagara Falls for their success in AAA’s Community Traffic Safety Program. A Bronze award was presented to Superintendent John Chella and Captain Salvatore Pino of the Niagara Falls Police Department at City Hall today.

AAA’s Community Traffic Safety Program is an awards and recognition program for communities of all sizes nationwide that identify and address their local traffic safety issues. The program considers basic crash statistics, presence of a traffic safety leadership group, programs, projects, and their effectiveness. The awards progress from Honorable Mention to Bronze, Silver, Gold, and to the highest level, Platinum.

“AAA’s Community Traffic Safety Program recognizes the leadership and rewards the efforts of communities that strive to advance the cause of traffic safety,” said Wally Smith, Vice President of AAA Western and Central New York. “We are delighted to honor the Niagara Falls Police Department for their vital and lifesaving work.”

The City of Niagara Falls received a Bronze award in their first year of participation in the program. Bronze awards are given to communities that implement programs and projects that demonstrate a substantial effort to address local traffic safety issues. Niagara Falls demonstrated success with programs addressing underage drinking and driving, driving while intoxicated, aggressive driving, seat belt use, school bus safety, and traffic safety concerns from road conditions to traffic signs/signals to speed zones.

As Upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA provides nearly 880,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com.

Niagara Falls Police Department's Traffic Unit was recognized by AAA today with a Community Traffic Safety Program Bronze Award. Pictured (front row, left to right) Captain Salvatore Pino, AAA Vice President Wally Smith, and Superintendent John Chella.

• Printer-friendly version