ATSSA The Signal Nov/Dec 2019

American Traffic Safety Services Association 12 Government Relations ATSSA Advocates —and not only on the grassroots advocacy level. In addi- tion to the work that ATSSA members do to support policies that advance roadway safety at the annual Legisla- tive Briefing & Fly-In and at the chapter level, ATSSAmembers are advocating for roadway safety infrastructure by serv- ing in Congress and their local commu- nities as elected officials. On the grassroots level, ATSSAmembers make a difference in advancing poli- cies that support roadway safety and increase infrastructure funding. “There have been a number of state campaigns that we’ve done tomove the needle on a number of issues. Some of the states we’ve focused on are Ohio, Virginia, Arkansas, and Washington. Throughout these campaigns we’ve had several hundred letters sent to state representatives from our ATSSA membership,” said ATSSA’s Director of Government Relations David Bell. According to Bell, having elected officials from the transportation and roadway safety infrastructure industry serv- ing our communities is an important element in getting policies passed that make our roadways safer. “It’s important to have these members that understand our industry and the importance of investing in roadway safety, to advocate for the need to invest funding in roadway safety infrastruc- ture that will save lives on our road- ways,” said Bell. ATSSA has worked to reestablish the congressional Roadway Safety Caucus with members that have experience or a background in roadway safety, these ATSSA members serve in legislative office Lou Barletta, former U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s 11th congressional district. Ron Sims, Ward 2 Alderman in Hazelhurst, Mississippi. Neal Moon, former mayor of Mountainberg, Arkansas. Thomas Winterberg, Pennsylvania’s Upper Moreland Township republican committee member.