FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2012
Contact: Megan Sanborn
(207) 441-0501

Secretary of State Charles E. Summers Jr. to be Awarded the Transportation Safety Champion Award

Transportation Safety Promoters Acknowledged at the Maine Transportation Safety Coalition’s Annual Conference

The Maine Transportation Safety Coalition (MTCS), a group that advocates for transportation safety in Maine, will present Transportation Safety Champion Awards at its annual meeting in Boothbay at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens at 132 Botanical Gardens Drive on Thursday, June 7, 2012.  The ceremony will start at approximately 11:00 a.m.

Secretary of State Charlie Summers is the invited Guest Speaker and one of the Transportation Safety Champion Award Recipients. He is being recognized for his dedication in addressing the safety concerns surrounding young drivers. Secretary Summers’ efforts to improve teen driving began with his “Conversations with the Communities” – a public discussion with regard to improving the safety of Maine’s young drivers. Secretary Summers met with community members, parents and students from Caribou to Kennebunk. This led to the crafting of LD 1912, “An Act To Promote Responsible Teen Driving,” which was signed by Governor Paul LePage on April 24, 2012 and becomes effective August 30, 2012. “It is my responsibility as the Secretary of State to look for ways to improve the safety of not only young drivers but all drivers traveling Maine’s roadways. Too many tragedies occur on Maine roadways involving young drivers every year,” Summers said.

Other award recipients to be recognized are Lt. Tom Reagan from the Bangor Police Department, WCSH 6, AAA, Berlin City and Moody’s Collision Centers.

Transportation safety advocates and professionals across Maine founded the Transportation Safety Coalition (MTSC) for the purpose of improving the safety of Maine roadways and byways.  MTSC annually publishes Maine Crash Data Reports that cover trends in crash activity in top priority topics such as seat belts/passenger restraints, lane departure crashes, younger and older drivers, illegal/unsafe speed, alcohol/drugs, motorcycles and distracted driving. For more information, visit the MTSC website at www.themtsc.org.