The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) has announced that the Gloucester Sheriff’s Office’s Traffic Safety Initiative was one of 25 recipients of VACo’s 2018 Achievement Awards. 

The awards recognize excellence in local government programs. VACo said it received a record 106 submissions vying for the awards and the winning entries focused on addressing high-priority issues that challenge counties today.

In its submission, the GSO said in the five years prior to its establishment of a Traffic Safety Unit and a large public awareness campaign, Gloucester averaged 8.8 traffic fatalities per year. 

Since the inception of the campaign and initiative, traffic fatalities have been reduced to an annual average of 4.8. The program includes enforcement along with public information and education. 

A partnership with local businesses has also been successful, placing breath mints and pens during enforcement waves to help motorists remember to buckle up.

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