The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is proud to announce that Richard Sullivan, its Law Enforcement Highway Safety Training Coordinator, this week received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). His award was one of twelve given in conjunction with the annual Lifesavers Conference in Tampa, Florida, which did not take place because of the coronavirus crisis.
"Safety will always be the Department's top priority, and we applaud the highway safety professionals who keep us safe," said Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao in a NHTSA announcement earlier this week.
Sullivan, known as "Colonel Sullivan" for his service as Providence Chief of Police in the early 2000s, has been RIDOT's Law Enforcement Highway Safety Training Coordinator since 2006. He has numerous responsibilities, primarily serving as the law enforcement liaison between RIDOT and the state's law enforcement agencies for many training and enforcement efforts for impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, occupant protection, child passenger safety and pedestrian and bicycle safety. He serves as coordinator or in another oversight capacity for many training programs to help police officers recognize impaired operators and successfully enforce many other highway safety laws. Sullivan also works as a teacher for the Community College of Rhode with many driver training programs as well as working with programs hosted by AAA Northeast for younger and senior drivers.
"As we pursue our goal of reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries, we have numerous partnerships with our safety organizations and law enforcement throughout Rhode Island," RIDOT Director Peter Alviti, Jr. said. "Colonel Sullivan is a big part of that, his tireless work behind the scenes puts into motion many programs and efforts with our state and local police departments that translate into saving lives. This national recognition is well deserved."
"Many of us at AAA have been very fortunate to work closely with Colonel Sullivan on a myriad of traffic safety initiatives over the years. Not only has he proven to be a tireless and vocal advocate for safety, but a good friend and trusted partner as well. He is immensely deserving of NHTSA's Lifetime Achievement Award," said Lloyd Albert, senior vice president of Public and Government Affairs for the auto club.