SPRINGFIELD, IL - The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) today presented its highest honor , the James J. Howard Highway Safety Trailblazer Award, to Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton.  The award was presented to President Cullerton during GHSA’s Annual Meeting in Savannah, Georgia. GHSA represents state highway safety agencies across the country.

Throughout his 30-year career in the Illinois State Legislature, Cullerton has amassed a traffic safety record that likely surpasses that of any state legislator in the nation. He has led the effort in the state to enact safety legislation on a variety of issues, including: child passenger safety; primary seat belt use; mandatory motorcycle helmet use; .08 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC); graduated licensing; and alcohol interlock laws.

"President Cullerton is very deserving of this honor," said Illinois Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Director Michael Stout.  "We salute him for his commitment and strong advocacy for traffic safety, which has helped keep motorists safe on Illinois roadways."

Among Cullerton’s many legislative achievements, Illinois’ primary seat belt law has perhaps been the most significant. He sponsored the bill and personally advocated for it across the state. At the time, a large majority of states did not have this lifesaving law.

Largely because of the Senator’s dedication and leadership, a primary law was passed and signed into law in 2003. Since the law’s enactment, the state’s seat belt use rate has increased by 14 percent to more than 90 percent.

The James J. Howard Highway Safety Trailblazer Award honors an individual for sustained outstanding leadership in endeavors that significantly improve highway safety. The recipient of this award must have undertaken a concerted, long-term effort to make our nation’s highways safer and has made a significant contribution to the field of highway safety.