News Release

Riverways Ranger and Park Recognized by Traffic Safety Coalition

Ozark National Scenic Riverways Protection Division

News Release Date: January 30, 2019

Contact: Dena Matteson, 573-323-4814

Van Buren, MO: National Park Service (NPS) Law Enforcement Rangers have diverse responsibilities, including protecting natural and cultural resources and ensuring the safety of all who visit and travel throughout the park. “Ensuring the safety of park visitors as well as employees is paramount to all of us at Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR),” according to Park Superintendent Larry Johnson. “We’re pleased that the hard work of our law enforcement rangers has been recognized at the national level.”  

 

Park Ranger Daniel Newberry of the Big Spring District received the individual award for Traffic Safety Coalition Ranger of the Year. The park rangers at ONSR were recognized for their efforts in helping keep potentially dangerous impaired drivers off roadways by receiving the National Park Service Traffic Safety Coalition Park of the Year Award for 2018. The recognition came from the NPS Traffic Safety Coalition, which is an affiliate of the nationwide Traffic Safety Coalition - a not-for-profit organization comprised of concerned citizens, victims’ advocates, academics, public officials, law enforcement and traffic safety industry professionals who are committed to working together to make our roads safer for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

 

According to John K. Hughes, NPS Federal Law Enforcement Liaison and Traffic Safety Coalition program manager, “Each year the Traffic Safety Coalition seeks out those parks that have made a positive impact within their respective communities by saving lives, promoting safe driving habits, and providing traffic safety education to the public and to employees while attempting to reach the NPS goal of “Toward Zero Deaths” on park roads.” Criteria for the award included traffic enforcement efforts, engineering, education and Emergency Medical Services rapid response. In 2018 ONSR rangers conducted Non-Emergency Vehicle Operation Training and Seat Belt Safety as well as Distracted Driving training for park employees. In addition, rangers made over 40 Driving Under the Influence (DUI) alcohol and drug cases, ten felony drug arrests, and hundreds of misdemeanor drug citations within the park. 

 

These awards demonstrate ONSR’s commitment to ensuring traffic safety for park visitors, park employees and those who call the riverways home. Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of fatalities in National Park areas across the country. “Rangers in the riverways are dedicated to helping ensure that number is not a growing statistic in the park”, says Chief Ranger Lindel Gregory. “We greatly appreciate the support from the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Springfield and Cape Girardeau, as well as the local county prosecutors, in helping us to achieve this recognition.”

 

For more information, visit the park’s Facebook page, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/ozar, or phone [phone].

 

Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.
 

- NPS -

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