OPP CONGRATULATES SERGEANT DAVE WOODFORD FOR "DRIVE SOBER" MEDIA AWARD

ORILLIA, ON, Nov. 24 /CNW/ - An Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer has been formally recognized for his ongoing efforts in getting the message out to Ontarians about impaired driving.

Most southern Ontarians know and recognize the Highway Safety Division's Sergeant Dave Woodford as the familiar face they see representing the OPP at the Greater Toronto Area motor vehicle collision scenes.  But Sgt. Woodford is also a strong advocate who speaks out against impaired driving, and he knows how to use his excellent rapport with Ontario media to help deliver the message about this serious road safety issue.       

This year, at the DRIVE SOBER Media Awards given out at the 2010 Countermeasures XVIII conference in Toronto on November 21-22, 2010, Sgt. Woodford received the "Career Achievement" award to recognize his diligence and dedication on this issue. 

The event is a bi-annual Ontario Conference on Impaired Driving (OCCID), hosted by arrive alive DRIVE SOBER^®, an organization that provides leadership and programs to eliminate impaired driving in Ontario.  The conference is made up of experts and individuals committed to reducing human carnage on our roads caused by impaired driving.   

The DRIVE SOBER Media awards recognize individuals, stations and companies who provide outstanding and effective coverage of impaired driving related collisions and charges, cover announcement and media events regarding legislative change, and other related categories.    

"We are very proud of the fact that the professional and personal dedication that Sgt. Woodford brings to this important traffic safety issue has been recognized by such a prestigious organization which is committed to promoting road safety" said OPP Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey, responsible for Traffic Safety.  "Sgt Woodford is a great ambassador for the OPP and represents all OPP officers who bring this kind of dedication every day to their duties to promote public safety across Ontario." 

For more information about arrive alive DRIVE SOBER^® and the OCCID, go to www.arrivealive.org

For more information about the Ontario Provincial Police, go to www.opp.ca.

For further information:

Sergeant Pierre Chamberland
Media Relations Coordinator
Phone:  [phone]