The National Safety Council has announced the winners of the 2026 Our Driving Concern Ohio Employer Traffic Safety Awards, which honor organizations for their firm commitment to roadway safety for their employees and all roadway users.

In 2024, 39% of occupational fatalities in Ohio were due to transportation-related incidents, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The following four employers were recognized by NSC for their measurable success in addressing this concerning trend through the implementation of impactful roadway safety solutions:

Distinguished Excellence in Traffic Safety

Michels

A prominent energy and infrastructure contractor, Michels manages a nationwide fleet guided by a decades-long commitment to safety. This commitment remains evident through measurable improvements, as last year their safety leaders worked to strengthen vehicle inspection tracking and documentation, reinforce transparent driving expectations, bolster leadership accountability and make other critical strides to underscore continuous improvement.

Excellence in Traffic Safety

Clopay Transportation

The Clopay Transportation Company strives to demonstrate its commitment to safety by going above and beyond compliance to protect its employees and all roadway users. In addition to an expansive safety protocol system, Clopay requires an extensive safety orientation for new drivers and monthly safety training for all drivers. The company also tracks fleet activity to ensure safety is always top of mind.

Distinguished Excellence in Traffic Safety by a Small Employer

Metallus

For Metallus, three C’s and two F’s anchor the company’s safety culture: caring, communication, collaboration, follow-up and follow-through. Metallus emphasizes the value of safety for every shift through fit-for-duty checks, extensive training for heavy equipment operators and team-wide communication that supports thousands of employees each month.

Excellence in Traffic Safety by a Small Employer

Champion City Drivers Ed

Champion City’s mission is to prepare safer drivers for Ohio’s roads. In order to fulfill that goal, Champion City’s efforts are focused on comprehensive instructor training, compliance with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles’ requirements and attainable goals to ensure maximum learning potential for each student.

“Effective traffic safety programs rely on clear expectations, insightful training and leadership commitment,” said Cody Stewart, senior program manager of Our Driving Concern at NSC. “The recipients of this year’s awards show firsthand how those principles can be translated into measurable results through consistent and transparent practices.”

Managed by the National Safety Council, the Our Driving Concern program emphasizes employee training, ongoing safety education and communication to promote safe driving behaviors and make the roads safer for everyone.

For more information, visit oh.ourdrivingconcern.org.