BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) proudly announces that DOTD's Safety Highway Administrator Dan Magri has received the Association of Transportation Safety Information Professionals (ATSIP) 2012 Distinguished Achievement Award. Magri was presented the award at the 38th International Forum on Traffic Records & Highway Information Systems in Biloxi, MS.

Magri was recognized for being instrumental in the creation and subsequent survival of the ATSIP organization and for serving as its president from 2003-2004. His leadership resulted in Louisiana winning the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' (AASHTO) coveted Safety Achievement Award in 2011. It is truly an honor for Magri to receive this award as there have only been two other Distinguished Achievement Awards recipients, in 2009 and 2010.

Magri has been involved in the transportation industry since 1984 and directly involved in highway safety since 1988.  Prior to leading the state’s Highway Safety Program at DOTD,  Dan worked at the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, where he directed the development of contracts for studies involving highway safety policy, safety records and the Safety Management System, as well as public information and education programs.

DOTD Secretary Sherri H. LeBas said, "Dan is a strong safety advocate, and I applaud his efforts to bring highway safety to the forefront for our department. Under his effective leadership as the safety highway administrator at DOTD, significant strides have been made to improve the safety of our roadways."

DOTD has been recognized for the Louisiana Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP), a comprehensive data-driven plan led by DOTD in collaboration with the Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, and others to establish safety-related goals, objectives, and performance measures for a list of high-priority emphasis areas.  

The efforts of DOTD and its SHSP partners to establish Destination Zero Deaths on Louisiana’s highway are paying off.  This can be seen by a 32-percent decrease in Louisiana motor vehicle fatalities over the last four years, which is an unprecedented accomplishment for the state.

Magri said, "I am honored to be recognized for this prestigious award, but more importantly what it represents for Louisiana.  Through hard work, collaboration and determination, Louisiana is one step closer in reaching its goal of zero deaths."

Over the past several years, DOTD has spearheaded multiple programs to improve safety, such as the Complete Streets Policy, the Intersection Safety Program, the Local Roads Safety Program, the Road Safety Assessment Program and the Highway Safety Manual Implementation. Through these programs, cost-effective safety measures have been developed such as the installation of median cable barriers along the interstate system, the installation of centerline rumble strips to reduce head-on collisions, enhanced signage and striping, curve and shoulder widening and much more.

ATSIP honors agencies and organizations in the transportation community that have made verifiable and significant strides toward improving highway safety through infrastructure improvements, operational improvements or program planning, development and evaluation. ATSIP examines the "best of the best" using effectiveness, innovation, and efficient use of resources as criteria in determining the recipients of this coveted award.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is committed to delivering transportation and public works systems that enhance the quality of life. In addition to more than 16,600 miles of roadway, including over 890 miles of interstate, DOTD supports the development of the state’s aviation, marine and rail infrastructures. Through this work, we are able to facilitate economic development, create job opportunities, improve vital evacuation routes, and make critical freight corridors safer and more efficient. 

For more information, please visit www.dotd.la.gov, email dotdcs@la.gov, or call DOTD’s Customer Service Center at (225) 379-1232 or 1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683). Business hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Motorists can access up-to-date travel information by dialing 511 or by visiting www.511la.org. Out-of-state travelers can call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511).

-30-
www.dotd.la.gov