Fifteen central West Virginia police departments received AAA's Platinum Community Traffic Safety Award for their safety efforts, according to officials at AAA East Central.

The Platinum awards are given to "commendable leaders" for their safety efforts and enforcement activities geared toward making communities safer.

The recipients of the prestigious awards were Bridgeport, Buckhannon, Clarksburg, Morgantown, Parkersburg, Star City, St. Mary's and Westover police departments; sheriff's departments in Harrison, Lewis, Monongalia and Upshur counties; and West Virginia State Police Troop 1, Bridgeport and Fairmont, and Troop 3, Elkins.

The departments were among hundreds nationwide that participated in the Community Traffic Safety Program and among 85 state entrants recognized by AAA.

Gold awards, the second highest recognition to be given, were awarded to Elkins, Grafton, Grantsville, Granville, Philippi, Shinnston, Vienna, Weston and West Virginia University police departments; sheriff's departments in Barbour, Marion, Preston and Taylor counties; and West Virginia State Police Troop 4, Parkersburg.

Silver awards were given to Anmoore, Barracksville, Davis, Kingwood, Lumberport, Monongah, Nutter Fort, Parsons and Salem police departments; and sheriff's departments in Pendleton and Wayne counties.

Bronze awards were given to Masontown and Paden City police departments.

"We are very proud of the departments for their achievement and participation in the Community Traffic Safety Program," said J.J. Miller, AAA safety adviser. "They went above and beyond the call of duty by organizing projects which would make their community a safer place for motorists as well as local residents."

To be eligible for the annual awards, a community must conduct traffic safety promotions and educate the public on safety topics.

"The purpose of the award program is to recognize these great efforts that have advanced the cause of traffic safety so they can be shared and emulated by others," Miller said.

AAA conducts a variety of free highway safety programs across the state of West Virginia focusing on all age groups.

The club also partners with law enforcement and safety agencies on initiatives to improve the safety of the community and local highways.