Highway Safety and Traffic Conference recognizes Gill as Northeast Regional award winner

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Twelve people and organizations were recognized at this year’s Highway Safety and Traffic Conference for their efforts in moving Missouri towards zero roadway fatalities.

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety holds the annual event to support Show-Me Zero, Missouri’s strategic highway safety plan. These awards are presented every other year to four statewide people or businesses and one winner from each of seven regions across the state.

In addition to the statewide awards, each region of the Coalition recognizes an individual or group for their leadership and work to improve highway safety. For the Northeast Missouri Region, covering the counties of Audrain, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Pike, Ralls, Randolph and Shelby, Anna Gill with the Mark Twain Regional Council of Governments was recognized for her dedication to educating young and vulnerable drivers and demonstrating her commitment to highway safety through various initiatives.

During the past several years, Gill has actively engaged with youths in multiple settings such as school education presentations for various ages, community and school health and safety days, athletic events, and 4-H meetings. Her dedication extends beyond normal business hours, as she frequently participates in events that promote safe driving practices.

As an executive board member of the Northeast Coalition for Roadway Safety (NECRS), she collaborates with other professionals and surrounding communities to enhance safety awareness on Missouri’s roads. She attended the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety Strategic Advance Meeting to collaborate with other coalitions and gain further insight into coalition operations. The NECRS began an outreach program this past year called Courtside Connections that focused on educating community members on:

• The dangers of impaired driving through simulated activities, in a safe setting, utilizing Fatal Vision Goggles (Alcohol and THC)
• Encouraging attendees to take the BUPD pledge and assisting them with signing up
• Fostering relationships within the school system, law enforcement agencies and communities
• Seeking out folks where they are … supporting their local high school athletic events.

Gill played a pivotal role in Courtside Connection events, attending numerous events within her region, including consecutive nights at the Monroe City Tournament which reached multiple schools/attendees/students each night.

Through an independent grant, she has obtained her own set of Fatal Vision resources to aid in her constant outreach with our area youth. Additionally, Gill attended the in-person training session for the alcohol, THC and distracted/drowsy driving Fatal Vision resources to conduct these activities at various events.

With an upward trend in fatalities within the Northeast District last year, a highway safety town hall meeting was held to discuss and educate the public on how safety partners are working together to promote a safer transportation system. Gill actively engaged with community members to discuss risky driver behaviors and gather valuable community feedback. Recently, Gill collaborated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to explore innovative partnerships and outreach opportunities for youths.