ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell University Police were presented with a statewide award for promoting traffic safety Oct. 18 at the New York Highway Safety Conference held in Binghamton, N.Y.

Sgt. Chuck Howard, traffic enforcement coordinator, accepted the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee award on behalf of the department from Raymond P. Martinez, commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, who chairs the committee.

The award recognizes an organization that has produced a program that is "innovative, superior and highly successful in promoting traffic safety" and that has made efficient use of public resources.

At the presentation, the commissioner said, "Chuck has been instrumental in developing an innovative and unique program at Cornell University which could easily serve as a model for other police agencies. The university's program combines strict enforcement with a positive public information and education effort . . . . Under Chuck's leadership, the university police have consistently issued more seatbelt tickets than any local agency in the county. This undoubtedly has helped to increase the seatbelt compliance rate and reduce needless injuries and fatalities."

Cornell Police have received funding from the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee for its "Safe Crosswalks" project, begun in April, to promote safety for pedestrians and make drivers aware of New York's crosswalk law, and for seatbelt enforcement. The committee has also given Cornell Police funding to purchase child car safety seats for distribution to eligible students and employees.

Cornell Police received one of 10 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration grants awarded to universities nationwide in 2001.