Each year, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recognizes individuals or organizations that exemplify high standards of achievement in traffic safety, people who through their accomplishments have contributed to the quality of life in their community, state, or the nation. We are pleased to report that Mi Ae Lipe, who writes Roundel magazine's monthly "Real World Driving" column, has been selected to receive a 2017 NHTSA Lifesavers Public Service award.
In fact, Mi Ae is one of two volunteers nominated for the award who have been working with the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC), Department of Licensing (DOL), and other policy makers over the past five years to help improve driver training and messaging throughout their state. Her fellow advocate, who will also receive a 2017 award, is Mark Butcher.
To understand the work that Mi Ae and Mark undertook on behalf of driver training in Washington State, here is an excerpt from their nomination document, submitted by Darrin Grondel, Washington State Governor’s Highway Safety Representative:
"Mi Ae Lipe and Mark Butcher showed up as guests of the Department of Licensing to a WTSC Young Driver Task Force over five years ago, and they’ve been by our side ever since. Each had a devout interest in finding out more about how drivers are trained and tested in Washington and hoped to influence decisions being made about how to improve those systems. These two loved to drive, had educated themselves about international traffic safety practices, and thus brought a refreshing perspective to state government meetings.
"Since then, Mark and Mi Ae have devoted hours of their own time in developing materials and presenting information about driver safety issues to various groups around the state. They did this in part to move us closer to our Target Zero goal and, most importantly, to be involved with the government agencies whose responsibility it is to carry out the strategies that will drive our state to zero fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways.
"This has not always been an easy task for them as they learn the ins and outs of a bureaucratic system. Often their role required them to challenge the status quo and grand plans put forth by the DOL, WTSC, or other public agencies, staying at the table with their tenacious voices offering an outsider perspective to their government."
Mi Ae Lipe is not just an effective safe driving advocate, who in addition to her Roundel column pens a blog entitled "Driving in the Real World." She is also an illustrator, graphic designer and successful published cookbook author.
Check out Mi Ae's "Real World Driving" column in the February Roundel for a taste of her practical approach to what constitutes good driving.
The 2017 Lifesavers Awards will be presented on March 27, 2017 at the Lifesavers National Conference on Highway Safety Priorities in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Lifesavers National Conference is billed as the largest gathering of highway safety professionals in the United States.
Congratulations to Mi Ae and Mark on the award.—Scott Blazey
[Photo courtesy of Driving Instructor Podcast.]
