Garden City Wins Top Award in AAA’s Annual Traffic Safety Program

The Village of Garden City has once again won AAA’s top Platinum Award for the outstanding effectiveness of its traffic safety programs. The community was honored during a luncheon ceremony this month at The Garden City Hotel.

The Village was one of six Platinum award winners in AAA’s annual Community Traffic Safety Awards Program, which recognizes outstanding communities for their efforts to make the region’s roadways safer for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Platinum Awards are given to communities that have documented new, perhaps innovative, traffic safety programs, projects or initiatives for the previous year. These communities have also demonstrated outstanding success with high scores in all scoring categories.

“We are pleased to honor our award winning communities that are doing such vital work to ensure that all road users can reach their destinations safely,” John Corlett, AAA Northeast Director of Public /Government Affairs & Traffic Safety, said.

Garden City has engaged in diligent, forceful efforts to reduce driving while intoxicated which have had profound results. In 2001, 336 drivers were arrested for drunk driving. By 2017, that number had been reduced to 38. The Village also continues to update signage and road markings, as well as having a very active child car seat fitting station.

The Police Department was also cited for their successful participation in New York State Traffic initiatives such as the No Empty Chair Campaign as well as their partnership with AAA Northeast in promoting their traffic safety programs such as hanging a large AAA Back to School Banner at a highly visible location on Stewart Avenue.