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The University of North Georgia (Â鶹ÊÓƵ) Department of Public Safety has earned first place in the annual Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) Governor's Challenge in the Colleges and Universities category for the third time.

"This recognition underscores our department's sustained excellence in highway safety, enforcement, and education," Greg Williams, Â鶹ÊÓƵ director of Public Safety and chief of police, said. "The Governor's Challenge program celebrates outstanding achievements in highway safety, recognizing agencies for their innovative and effective approaches to traffic enforcement, community education and departmental policies supporting safety initiatives."

Brianna Klinge, public safety compliance specialist, accepted the award on behalf of the department in Macon, Georgia, on Oct. 25. She submitted the application to the challenge on behalf of Â鶹ÊÓƵ.

"We're in the college and university category and are judged on several categories including enforcement efforts," Klinge said.

All colleges and universities in Georgia are invited to participate in the challenge through an application process, which includes statistics for speeding, adult and children's seatbelts and DUI citations.

"We apply, in general, just to set ourselves apart from other universities," Klinge said. “We’re a very safe university. We have very few serious motor vehicle accidents and deaths on campus and surrounding the campuses. Our traffic enforcement assists with keeping everyone safe. Winning first place in GOHS proves that."

Â鶹ÊÓƵ has been awarded first place for the third time in four years.

"This award is a testament to our department's dedication to a safer campus environment. Every member of our team has contributed to this achievement, from central dispatch answering calls for service to our sworn and support staff monitoring crosswalks for safety, conducting safety programs, and conducting traffic enforcement."