Reidsville named Traffic Safe community

From staff reports
Published: November 25, 2008

Reidsville was named an Outstanding Traffic Safe Community for 2008 today by AAA Carolinas’ Foundation for Traffic Safety, a news release said.

        Reidsville was one of 15 North Carolina communities honored at the fifth annual awards luncheon at the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Inn in Durham. AAA Carolinas’ Traffic Safety Foundation named the five safest communities in three population categories and then selected one in each category as the safest community for traffic in the state. All communities received awards.

        Chapel Hill, Orange and Durham Counties (Greater Than 30,000), Henderson, Vance County (Between 10,000 and 30,000), and Highlands, Macon County (Less Than 10,000) were the three safest communities for traffic in 2007 for traffic in North Carolina, according to the release from AAA.

        “Reidsville concentrates on community-oriented policing and its police work hard with its 55-plus community watch organizations,” said Tom Crosby, president, AAA Carolinas’ Foundation for Traffic Safety. “The police choose special traffic projects for extra areas of traffic support such as saturated patrols in high-crash areas.”

        The 12 other communities recognized with outstanding awards for leadership in traffic safety include:       

        Greater Than 30,000:       

·      High Point, Guilford County

·      Apex, Wake County

·      Jacksonville, Onslow County

·      Cary, Wake County

        Between 10,000 and 30,000:

·      Tarboro, Edgecombe County

·      Laurinburg, Scotland County

·      Pinehurst, Moore County

·      Reidsville, Rockingham County

Less Than 10,000:

·      Burgaw, Pender County

·      Williamston, Martin County

·      Marion, McDowell County

·      Kure Beach, New Hanover County

Traffic safe communities are selected by looking at crash statistics, number of law enforcement officers per capita, presence of a formal traffic safety program and/or existence of a special traffic division. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte provided the statistical analysis and AAA Carolinas’ Traffic Safety Foundation chose winners in each category giving extra emphasis to those communities that are proactive in enhancing traffic safety efforts.

        “All these communities work hard to provide both increased enforcement and innovative programs,” said Crosby. “We appreciate their commitment to make our streets safer and applaud them for acting as traffic safe role models.”