The award recognizes Michigan's truck-involved fatal crash rate of 0.12 per 100 million total vehicle miles traveled, which is the lowest rate in the Midwest and one of the lowest in the nation.  The national average is 0.18 per 100 million total vehicle miles traveled.

"This Motor Carrier Safety Leadership Award acknowledges the collective effort of many dedicated professionals who are committed to improving truck safety in Michigan," said Captain Robert R. Powers Jr., commander of the MSP Traffic Safety Division.  "Along with our local enforcement partners, we must recognize the efforts of the Michigan Truck Safety Commission, the Michigan Center for Truck Safety, and the trucking industry."

Michigan previously received a Motor Carrier Safety Leadership Award in 2008, for exemplary overall performance in collecting and reporting commercial motor vehicle data, and in 2007, for the MSP's efforts to reduce truck-related crashes by closely monitoring commercial vehicle traffic.