Leaders of 10 local law enforcement agencies pose with awards from AAA. Tom Markland

MARTINSBURG — Ten local law enforcement agencies were given nationally recognized awards by the American Automobile Association (AAA) for their efforts to increase traffic safety on Wednesday.

According to statistics provided by Jane “J.J.” Miller, safety advisor for AAA East Central, traffic fatalities decreased by 3.6 percent in 2023, and while the 2024 statistics are not done yet, fatalities are set to decrease further. Miller presented the awards to each agency.

“They don’t have the stats and all that yet, but they’ve gone down, and it’s because of you,” Miller told a room full of police leaders. “You’re out there to protect, you’re out there to serve, you’re out there to keep people safe.

“Your visibility alone tells you about the commitment you have to saving lives and preventing injuries,” Miller added.

The AAA awards range from bronze, silver, gold and platinum for communities that have worked to cut down on traffic accidents and increase safety. While Bronze, Silver and Gold awards refer to different degrees of success, a Platinum Award means the agency has implemented and stuck to a traffic safety program for 3-5 years or more. Every single one of the local agencies received a Platinum Award.

“I saw the reports some of you have turned in, and we did a tremendous push on driving this year — on aggressive driving and speeding and distractions and even seat belts,” Miller said.

The agencies awarded include the Berkeley County Sheriff Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Berkeley Springs, Charles Town, Harpers Ferry, Martinsburg, Ranson and Shepherdstown police departments, as well as the West Virginia State Police Troop 2 Detachments in Martinsburg and Charles Town.

“The Platinum Award is the highest and most honorable thing we can do with AAA in the United States,” Miller said. “So we’re very proud to give these to you.”

For Berkeley County Sheriff Rob Blair, his office has been putting in work to enforce traffic safety. Last year, Berkeley County ranked in the top 10 for speed control or speed enforcement and top three for DUI enforcement throughout West Virginia.

Blair said he’s constantly looking for ways to better enforce traffic safety laws, taking advantage of tools like the Governor’s Highway Safety funds and by sending officers on patrols between emergency calls.

“We try to be as visible as we can, and that’s why we’re trying to push for extra manpower so we can get extra patrols out on the interstate, out on these specific roadways,” Blair said.