John T. Hanna Awards

Mayor Robert M. “Bobby” Dyer, City of Virginia Beach, VA

In 1991, Concerned Citizens Advocating Traffic Safety (CCATS) instituted the JOHN T. HANNA AWARDS.  Named after Virginia’s “Father of Transportation Safety,” these awards honor those who share John T. Hanna’s tireless dedication and commitment to improving traffic safety on Virginia's highways.

Mr. Hanna had an unparalleled zeal for safety that hallmarked his career, and he remains an inspiration to every parent, police officer, judge, teacher, and citizen who is committed to saving lives through traffic safety.

If you know of an individual or organization working to impact the reduction of death and injury on your highways, you are invited to submit nominations to recognize these outstanding traffic safety advocates - The JOHN T. HANNA Awards: Recognizing Traffic Safety Excellence in Hampton Roads

Please help us recognize noteworthy individuals and organizations by nominating them for the Annual JOHN T. HANNA AWARDS. 

2023 John T. Hanna Award Recipients


Tammy McGee

(President, Conner Gweedo Memorial Foundation)
Martin H. Schlosser Award for Traffic Safety Activism

Officer Shannon Velez
(Chesapeake Police Department)
Impaired Driving Prevention

Master Police Officer Solomon D. Simmons, III 
(Virginia Beach Police Department)
Law Enforcement Initiatives

Brad Huffman
(Senior Partner, Huffman & Huffman Brothers-in-Law)
 Legal Initiatives

Lance Koontz
(Student, Tabb High School)
Youth Traffic Safety

South Hill Volunteer Fire Department
Fire/Emergency Medical Services Initiatives

James Bunker
(Independent Contractor,
National Newspaper Delivery for the Virginian Pilot)
 Honorable Mention for Traffic Safety Awareness