Washington Tribal Traffic 

Safety Summit

Summit Report

May 27-28, 2009

Little Creek Casino and Resort Squaxin Island, Washington

Prepared by Cambridge Systematics, Inc.

Pub #: FHWA-FLH-10-03
NOTICE

This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Department of 

Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The United States 

Government assumes no liability for its contents or use thereof.

The contents of this report reflect the views of the contractor who is responsible for the 

accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the 

official policy of the Department of Transportation.

The United States Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade or 

manufacturers’ names appear herein only because they are considered essential to the 

objective of this document.
Technical Report Documentation Page

1. Report No.

FHWA-FLH-10-03

2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient’s Catalog No.

4. Title and Subtitle

Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit Report

5. Report Date

November 2009

6. Performing Organization Code

7. Author(s)

Susan Herbel (Principal Investigator), Bernardo Kleiner

8. Performing Organization Report No.

9. Performing Organization Name and Address

Cambridge Systematics, Inc.

100 CambridgePark Drive, Suite 400

Cambridge, MA 02140

10. Work Unit No.

11. Contract or Grant No.

DTFH61-61-08-T-02601

12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address

Department of Transportation

Federal Highway Administration

Office of Federal Lands Highway

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE

Washington, DC 20590

13. Type of Report and Period Covered

Meeting Report

May 27-28, 2009

14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. Supplementary Notes

FHWA: Chimai Ngo and Craig Genzlinger

16. Abstract

This report documents the Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit held May 27-28, 2009, in Squaxin 

Island, Washington. The mission of this Summit was twofold: education and action. The information 

shared was intended to compel participants to develop initiatives for increasing safety on Tribal roadways. 

The following report includes background information, themes discussed by Summit speakers and 

participants, Summit results, and next steps for moving forward.

17. Key Words

transportation safety, traffic safety, road safety, 

Native Americans, reservation roads, Washington

18. Distribution Statement

19. Security Classif. (of this report)

Unclassified

20. Security Classif. (of this page)

Unclassified

21. No of Pages

40

22. Price

Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72)Reproduction of completed pages authorized
Table of Contents

Background.................................................................................................................................................1

Purpose of the Summit.................................................................................................................2

Themes.........................................................................................................................................................4

4Es of Safety...................................................................................................................................4

Data .................................................................................................................................................6

Target Zero ......................................................................................................................................7

Summit Results...........................................................................................................................................9

Education .......................................................................................................................................9

Enforcement................................................................................................................................. 10

Engineering.................................................................................................................................. 10

Emergency Medical Services ..................................................................................................... 11

Panel-Led Discussion ................................................................................................................. 11

Moving Forward...................................................................................................................................... 13

Appendix A: Participants.....................................................................................................................A-1

Appendix B: Agenda ............................................................................................................................ B-1

Appendix C: Breakout Group Comments.........................................................................................C-1

Education ...................................................................................................................................C-1

Enforcement...............................................................................................................................C-3

Engineering................................................................................................................................C-4

Emergency Medical Services ...................................................................................................C-7

Appendix D: Speaker Bios...................................................................................................................D-1
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

1

Background

Every year, more than 40,000 motorists die and almost 3,000,000 

are injured on our Nation’s roadways. For ages 4 to 34, motor 

vehicle-related injuries are the leading cause of death in the United 

States,

1 and Native Americans are at particularly high risk. Among 

Native American populations, motor vehicle-related injuries are 

the leading cause of death up to age 44.2 Between 1975 and 2002, 

the number of fatal crashes on Indian reservations increased over 

50 percent; while nationally, they declined two percent.3

Washington State is no exception to the trend. Although data 

from 1980 through 2007 show an average decrease of nine traffic 

fatalities per year, more than 500 people die annually on 

Washington roadways. Native Americans in the State die at a 

rate between two and a half to three times higher than other racial 

groups. The real figure is likely worse given that researchers and 

traffic safety experts agree Tribal roadway crash data is under 

reported. 

A majority of these deaths are preventable, and Washington has 

taken steps to deal with the problem. One of the most important 

of these was the development of the state Strategic Highway 

Safety Plan, known as Target Zero. The plan sets a bold vision for 

the future of traffic safety: “By the year 2030, Washington State 

will achieve zero traffic deaths and zero disabling injuries.” 

The Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit held May 27-28, 

2009 was an important step toward the Target Zero vision. This 

document describes the Summit, focusing on the insights gained, 

lessons learned, and recommendations for moving forward. 

The Summit was carried out through the collaborative efforts of 

Tribal representatives from Cowlitz, Kalispel, Lummi, and 

Squaxin Island, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) 

 

1Hilton J., Race and Ethnicity in Fatal Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes 

1999-2004, DOT HS 809 956. May 2006. U.S. DOT, NHTSA.

2Subramanian R., Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes as a Leading Cause of 

Death in the United States, 2005, DOT HS 810 936. April 2008. U.S. 

DOT, National Center for Statistics and Analysis.

3Poindexter K., Fatal Motor Vehicle Crashes on Indian Reservations 

1975-2002, DOT HS 809 727. U.S. DOT, NHTSA, May 2004.

Washington’s 29 Tribes

Confederated Tribes of the 

Chehalis Reservation

Colville Confederated Tribes

Cowlitz

Hoh Tribe

Jamestown S’Klallam Indian Tribe

Kalispel Tribe

Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

Lummi Nation

Makah Tribe

Muckleshoot Tribe

Nisqually Tribe

Nooksack Tribe

Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe

Puyallup Tribe

Quileute Tribe 

Quinault Nation

Samish Nation

Sauk-Suiattle Tribe

Shoalwater Bay Tribe

Skokomish Tribe

Snoqualmie Tribe

Spokane Tribe

Squaxin Island Tribe

Stillaguamish Tribe

Suquamish Tribe

Swinomish Tribe

Tulalip Tribe

Upper Skagit Tribe

Confederated Tribes of the 

Yakama Indian Reservation
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

2

Federal Lands Highway and Washington Division Offices, 

Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC), Washington 

Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Washington State Patrol 

(WSP), Northwest Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP) at 

Eastern Washington University, Tribal Transportation Planning 

Organization (TTPO), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 

 Purpose of the Summit

The mission of this Summit was twofold: education and action. 

The information shared was intended to compel participants to 

develop initiatives for increasing safety on Tribal roadways. A 

list of Summit participants and the detailed Summit agenda are

included in Appendices A and B.

The Summit began with an overview of road safety issues and 

challenges facing the Nation, Washington State, and specifically 

Washington’s Tribes. Participants were shown the recently 

developed video, Protecting Our Future – Reducing Traffic Fatalities 

on Tribal Lands,

4 which tells of the countless tragedies that have 

happened on Tribal lands, the primary causes of these traffic 

deaths (i.e., impaired driving and speeding), and the story of how 

Tribal members and governments are applying for special 

funding and grants to help overcome these problems.

Plenary session presentations talked about the importance of 

multidisciplinary collaboration and how engineering, enforcement, 

education, and emergency medical services can work together to 

more effectively and efficiently improve safety on the roadways. 

They also discussed the critical function of crash data, examining 

ways to improve the collection, analysis, and sharing information. 

Washington State’s Target Zero plan was introduced, which applies 

these concepts to improve safety on ALL public roads.

These presentations, followed by smaller breakout group discussions, provided participants the opportunity to share experiences 

and learn from one another about programs and resources for 

improving safety on Tribal roadways. The goal was to produce 

recommendations on how to elevate Native American priorities 

within the Target Zero process, as well as recommendations for 

immediate next steps at the Tribal level for stakeholders to take 

charge of the issue. 

 

4For a copy of the video and information on grant funding and Tribal 

traffic safety initiatives, please contact the Washington Traffic Safety 

Commission at www.wtsc.wa.gov or (360) 753-6197. 
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

3

The Summit is a first step. Follow-up within and among 

Washington’s Tribes in collaboration with state and Federal 

partners, as well as other Tribal safety stakeholders, is required for 

further progress. Washington has strong safety leadership, but 

local grassroots initiatives are imperative to drive the numbers 

down.
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

4

Themes

The Summit introduced three main themes developed by the 

Summit Planning Committee to set the stage for group discussions: 4Es of Safety, Importance of Data, and Target Zero. 

 4Es of Safety

Highway crashes are complex involving the driver, the roadway, 

and the vehicle. Efforts to reduce the number and severity of 

these crashes require comprehensive, multidisciplinary solutions

from the 4Es of safety – engineering, enforcement, education, and 

emergency medical services. Each of these disciplines brings 

unique solutions to transportation safety problems. However, the 

actions of one discipline or even each discipline alone will not 

address road safety completely. Interaction and collaboration 

across the 4Es offers potential for greater impact and costeffectiveness through collective action.

As an example of 4E multidisciplinary collaboration, participants 

were introduced to the concept of Tribal Traffic Safety 

Task Forces. The Colville Tribes passed a resolution and formed 

a Task Force in 2006. WTSC and BIA provided resources for 

training, equipment, and hiring a traffic safety coordinator. 

Today, the Task Force is a combined group of community members from planning, roads and engineering, health and family 

services, law enforcement, fire department, school distinct board 

members, members of the Business Council, and other community members who wish to participate in improving traffic safety 

on the Colville Reservation. Task Force efforts include the 

following actions:

Education

Establish a presence and make the Task Force known in the 

community;

Encourage positive traffic safety behaviors within schools and 

the community at assemblies, fairs, community events, district 

meetings, powwows, etc.;
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

5

Distribute awareness materials (i.e.; posters, brochures, 

trinkets);

Educate citizens on the importance of occupant protection;

Provide training on child passenger restraint use and certify 

car seat technicians; and

Educate citizens about the Tribal Laws requiring safety belt 

use and stringent enforcement of speeding and DUI violations

(Sovereign Nations may differ).

Enforcement

Ensure enforcement is consistent and fair – the message needs 

to be the Tribe is serious about saving lives;

Enforce traffic laws and conduct DUI and Occupant Restraint 

emphasis patrols;

Hire a Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer and coordinate with WSP and WTSC for training; and

Track and manage crash data.

Engineering

Work with counties and the State on engineering improvements;

Focus on single car rollovers as the most serious traffic crash

type on reservation roads;

Install and maintain signs and signals for school zones as lowcost, effective measures for keeping kids safe;

Conduct Road Safety Audits (RSA) to identify needed 

engineering improvements;

Analyze statistics to identify high-crash locations; and

Utilize other cost-effective engineering measures such as 

guardrail, rumble strips, widening, and horizontal/vertical 

curve improvements.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) 

Provide timely response to crashes in rural areas;

Work with law enforcement to describe the crash scene/

location; and

Work with Task Force partners to develop a map for 911 

addresses and GIS software to locate the nearest residence or 

mile post marker.
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

6

 Data

A central theme of the Summit was the need for accurate and 

timely data along with analytical tools to identify safety issues 

and appropriate countermeasures.

To effectively develop and implement safety countermeasures, it 

is necessary to understand who, what, when, where, why, and 

how of crashes. When data are collected and shared, these questions can be answered. 

Data are used to identify issue areas and assist in developing 

trend and before/after studies. This analysis helps ensure 

investments are made at the most appropriate locations applying 

the most appropriate countermeasures to reduce the number and 

severity of collisions.

On Washington State roads, the collision data elements are 

collected and entered, analyzed, and coded in Collision Datamart,

a database maintained by WSDOT’s Transportation Data Office 

(TDO). Collision reports are scanned by WSP and coded by 

WSDOT. Through WSDOT collision data are available in the 

State Repository within approximately 60 days and provided to 

customers as needed. 

Participants were shown samples of the various data sets available through Collision Datamart such as driver contributing circumstance by collision severity, speed-related collisions by 

county, and officer reported restraint use. They also were shown 

an example where data analysis led to the identification of a lowcost safety improvement at a specific location, e.g., a simple 

median crossroad closure. Prior to the closure, there were 24 total 

injuries and two fatalities during a 48-month period. In the 48 

months following the closure, total injuries were reduced to six 

and fatalities to zero.

A two-vehicle collision can contain more than 120 data elements alone:

 Time/Date/Location  Driver Contributing Circumstances

 Weather/Light Conditions  Severity/Injuries

 Road Surface Conditions  Restraint/Age/Gender

 Environmental Conditions  Under the Influence of ___

 Collision Type  And many more...

Trooper Christian Wilson demonstrated 

in-car camera and electronic collision 

report/ticketing equipment.
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

7

WSDOT is eager to help improve the data process for Tribes. In 

order to provide similar data support related to reservation roads,

WSDOT needs Tribal land road maps, which will assist in 

identifying boundaries and ownership. The next step is collecting 

the data from collisions on Tribal roads. Tribes are encouraged to 

use either the Washington State officer report form (which was 

modified in 2006 to include a Tribal field) or a citizen collision 

report form. 

Working together to collect and share data results in fatality and 

injury reduction for all Washington residents.

 Target Zero

Washington State’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan, titled Target 

Zero, was developed to identify Washington State’s traffic safety 

needs and to guide investment decision to achieve significant 

reductions in traffic fatalities and disabling injuries on all 

Washington roadways, including reservation roads. Washington’s

Governor, Christine Gregoire, is strongly committed to traffic 

safety and relies on Target Zero to identify traffic safety needs and 

provide an inventory of proven, effective strategies to meet those 

needs.

Target Zero’s goal of zero traffic fatalities and disabling injuries by 

2030 recognizes the current trend is in the right direction but

remains unnacceptable. To reach the goal, Washington’s fatalities 

must decrease by 24.7 per year, rather than the current trend of 9 

per year.

WSDOT data policies support Federal Law 23 United States Code 

Section 409: “The Washington State Department of Transportation 

(WSDOT) is releasing this data to you with the understanding that you will 

not use this data contrary to the restrictions in Section 409, which means 

you will not use this data in discovery or as evidence at trial in any action 

for damages against the WSDOT, the State of Washington, or any other 

jurisdiction involved in the locations mentioned in the data. If you should 

attempt to use this data in an action for damages against WSDOT, the 

State of Washington, or any other jurisdiction involved in the locations 

mentioned in the data, these entities expressly reserve the right, under 

Section 409, to object to the use of the data, including any opinions drawn 

from the data.”

Washington State officer report form 

was modified to include a Tribal field.
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

8

Washington Traffic Fatalities, 1980-2007 

Projected to 2030 (preliminary data for 2007) 

PREPARED BY WTSC - June 2008 (Source: FARS) 

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

PROJECTED TRAFFIC 

DEATHS IN 2030 = 362

...But to reach the goal of zero 

traffic fatalities will require a 

decrease of 24.7 fatalities per year

Current trend is a 

decrease of 9.0 traffic 

fatalities per year...

PERFORMANCE GAP

A data-driven, evidence-based process is used to develop traffic 

safey budgets to support successful strategies. Key elements of 

Target Zero include:

Involving many partners;

Being data-driven;

Establishing priorities and goals;

Implementing proven strategies and best practices;

Aggressively evaluating results; and

Making course corrections as warranted.

Participation in Target Zero is required by state agencies, such as 

WTSC, WSDOT, WSP, and others. Efforts also are being made to 

garner participation from Indian Country, local agencies, private 

industry, and nonprofit groups. The plan is under a complete 

review and rewrite this year. Summit participants were asked to 

aid in the process of updating Target Zero by developing 

recommendations specific to Tribal safety needs. Those 

recommendations are presented in the following section on 

Summit results and are expected to be just a first step toward 

increasing Tribal participation in the Target Zero process.

Target Zero Priority Areas

Priority 1

Impaired Driving

Speeding

Priority 2

Occupant Protection

Run-Of-Road Collisions

Intersections

State Traffic Records System
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

9

Summit Results

The Summit objectives were to identify the most important traffic 

safety issues facing Tribes and to build recommendations for 

updating Washington’s Target Zero. To achieve this, Summit 

participants were divided into four breakout groups: education, 

enforcement, engineering, and emergency medical services. Each 

group discussed ways Target Zero could more effectively meet the 

needs of Tribes, in an effort to reduce fatalities and disabling injuries on Tribal roads. 

Recommendations developed during breakout sessions were 

reported out to the larger group and refined through a panel-led 

discussion about experiences, obstacles, and resources. The final 

recommendations from each group, along with some highlights 

from the larger group, are recorded below. A detailed collection 

of participant comments from the breakout sessions is available in 

Appendix C. 

 Education

Provide opportunities for the Tribes to update the objectives 

and strategies for Tribal issues.

Encourage Elders to be champions and involve them in Tribal 

safety efforts.

Develop consistent and continuous education messages.

Utilize existing forums (or create new ones) to share safety 

education ideas and information and create a clearinghouse 

(techniques, contacts, resources, etc.).

Encourage the Tribes to appoint a Safety Officer/Organizer 

and leader.

Ensure safety data is included in the roadway inventory.

Involve Tribes as a priority in state efforts to reach zero 

deaths.

Assist Tribes in developing a safety plan.

Revise Target Zero to include a focus on rural roads.
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

10

 Enforcement

Establish an outreach partnership with the Northwest 

Association of Tribal Enforcement Officers (NATEO) to educate Tribal Council and Elders to build trusting relationships 

targeting data-driven traffic safety issues. 

Assist Tribal leaders in using a problem solving model to 

identify their needs. Follow up with Target Zero education 

and countermeasures.

Review and analyze a menu of countermeasure options to 

address the needs identified by Tribal leaders. Implement the 

countermeasures in cooperation with Tribal law enforcement.

Conduct an ongoing review of successes with Tribal leaders

and recognize individual Tribes for their accomplishments. 

Refine the goals and directions as determined by Tribal 

leaders.

Assist non-Tribal partners in understanding Tribal needs and 

cultural differences.

 Engineering

Integrate the Strategic Highway Safety Plan for Indian Lands5

with Target Zero.

Include recognition of Tribal and BIA design standards.

Identify policies and processes for setting or revising speed 

limits.

Ensure safety criteria are considered by metropolitan 

planning organizations (MPO) and regional transportation 

planning organizations (RTPO) in grants/project selection.

Include objectives and strategies for evaluating and 

considering pedestrian and bicycle safety needs in all projects.

Expand on weather-related hazards and best practices for 

responding to them (i.e., better road delineation and passing 

lanes/turnouts for slow moving vehicles along rural two-lane 

roadways).

 

5

In 2004, the Strategic Highway Safety Plan for Indian Lands was 

completed as a policy statement defining national goals to improve 

Tribal transportation safety. The document can be accessed at: 

http://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/programs/irr/safety/sms.htm.
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

11

Develop material describing data sharing strategies 

(government-to-government) emphasizing the confidentiality 

clause.

Provide Tribes with engineering resources.

Identify solutions to meet elderly driver needs (i.e., appropriate illumination, signing font, transitioning from driving to 

transit use, etc.)

Ensure the accuracy of the Indian Reservation Roads (IRR) 

Inventory. 

Provide the Tribal liaison with continual support.

 Emergency Medical Services

Provide data mapping for response times and traffic fatalities 

to identify underserved areas (gap analysis). 

Develop and fund a demonstration project/corridor model to 

complete an assessment of the status of EMS services in order 

to determine steps for improving overall EMS services. Illustrate successful urban application and how it can be applied 

in rural areas. 

Revise Target Zero Strategy 8.1.A13 to replace “CODES” with 

“Washington Strategic Plan.”

Develop a Tribal traffic safety section in Target Zero.

 Panel Led Discussion

The breakout groups reported to an expert panel who addressed 

the issues and offered advice and guidance. The discussion 

produced a set of action steps and other “take aways” or general 

statements.

Action Steps

Involve Tribes in Target Zero update and list them as partners 

throughout the document.

Encourage the Tribes to develop individual safety plans 

through strategic planning processes.

Offer Federal/state visitations and assistance to the Tribes to 

aid development and implementation of individual Tribal 

safety plans. 
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

12

Allow Tribal participation at future meetings taking into 

account Tribal schedules and seasonal activities. 

Partner with the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health 

Board (http://www.npaihb.org/) to create a stronger focus 

on Indian health issues and EMS.

Encourage Tribal involvement on the Traffic Records

Coordinating Committee (TRCC).

Take Aways

FHWA’s Western Federal Lands (WFL) and Central Federal 

Lands (CFL) Offices are committed. WFL will act on behalf of 

Tribes as facilitators with other agencies. WFL will continue 

to work with WSDOT and WTSC to improve Tribal safety and 

identify technical and financial resources available to the 

Tribes. 

WTSC is committed to working with Tribal safety stakeholders in the process of updating Target Zero and is willing to 

adjust the schedule if necessary to consider input from Tribes, 

although the plan will be completed by the end of the year.

To design a tailored approach for each Tribe, relationships 

must first be built and safety issues identified.

Traveling to individual Tribes is the key outreach tool for 

safety partners to spread awareness and gain Tribal participation in regional, statewide, and national efforts. 

Inexperienced Tribes benefit from communication with 

experienced Tribes.

The Colville Tribes have examples of successfully developed 

tailored programs specific to their Tribal needs.

The TRCC has good data records. Linking data system 

reports allows all parties to share data. 

NHTSA will organize safety assessments for Tribal lands with 

support from WTSC.
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

13

Moving Forward

Washington State is committed to take the next steps in the pursuit of safer Tribal roadways. WTSC, with support from the 

TTPO, will use the recommendations listed above in the update 

of Washington’s Target Zero this year. 

Tribes are encouraged to begin implementing applicable recommendations immediately. Participants will inform the Tribal 

Elders, leaders, and other safety stakeholders in their communities about the Summit results and lessons learned to determine 

future directions in transportation safety education, enforcement, 

infrastructure, and data. Resource materials and grant applications were provided in an effort to aid implementation. 

Notes captured during this Summit were carried forward and 

used between the Governor and Tribal leaders at the Centennial 

Accord (CA) on June 23, 2009, resulting in the following four CA 

Action Items specifically addressing Tribal traffic safety: 

1. WSDOT and WTSC will develop a one-page briefing paper on 

the BIA Traffic Safety Grant Program issues and initiate a 

request to U.S. DOT to evaluate the program for potential 

improvements.

2. WTSC and TTP will work to increase Tribal involvement in 

the update of Target Zero.

3. WTSC will continue to hold Tribal Advisory Committee 

meetings.

4. WTSC will continue to work with Tribal law enforcement 

group to invest the WTSC block grant.

More information about resources available from the state, 

regional, and Federal partners involved in the Summit can be 

found at:

WTSC: http://www. wtsc.wa.gov;

WSDOT: http://www. wsdot.wa.gov/safety;

WSP: http://www.wsp.wa.gov;

NW TTAP: http://www.ewu.edu/ttap;
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

14

FHWA Office of Federal Lands Highway: 

http://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/programs/irr/safety;

FHWA Office of Safety: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov;

BIA: http://www.doi.gov/bia; and

NHTSA: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov.
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

A-1

Appendix A: Participants

Name Affiliation E-Mail Telephone

Manuel Abarca WHPACIFIC, Inc mabarca@whpacific.com (360) 918-5314

Karen Barrie Lummi Nation Police Department karenb@lummi-nsn.gov (360) 384-2266

Megan Beeby Washington State Department of Transportation beebym@wsdot.wa.gov (360) 705-7025

Craig Bill Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs (360) 902-8827

Victoria Brinkly FHWA – Western Federal Lands victoria.brinkly@dot.gov (360) 619-7885

Brian Cladoosby Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (360) 466-7200

Brian Clark Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation brian.clark@colvilletribes.com

Timothy Coley Washington State Patrol Tim.Coley@wsp.wa.gov (360) 676-2007

Clara H. Conner FHWA – Western Federal Lands clara.conner@fhwa.dot.gov (360) 619-7710

Cinco D. Cronemeyer NWRO BIA Division of Transportation cinco.cronemeyer@bia.gov (503) 872-2872

Dan Davis Washington State Department of Transportation Davisd@wsdot.wa.gov (360) 570-2451

Kathleen B. Davis Washington State Department of Transportation davisk@wsdot.wa.gov (360) 705-7871

Mike Dornfeld Washington State Department of Transportation dornfem@wsdot.wa.gov (360) 705-7288

Lynn Drake Washington Traffic Safety Commission ldrake@wtsc.wa.gov (360) 725-9886

Kelly Edwards Chehalis Tribal Police kewards@chehalistribe.org (360) 273-7051

Dolly Fernandes WSDOH/EMS-Trauma dolly.fernandes@doh.wa.gov (360) 236-2858

Mary Frascona Cambridge Systematics mfrascona@camsys.com (850) 671-0214

Craig Genzlinger Federal Highway Administration Craig.Genzlinger@dot.gov (406) 431-3910

Geneva Hawkins Washington State Department of Transportation HawkinG@wsdot.wa.gov (360) 570-2490

Susan Herbel Cambridge Systematics sherbel@camsys.com (202) 494-5539

William Hilton Washington State Patrol william.hilton@wsp.wa.gov (360) 596-4131

Theresa Hutchins FHWA, Office of Planning theresa.hutchins@dot.gov (360) 753-9402

Colleen Jollie WHPacific, Inc. cjollie@whpacific.com (360) 918-5337

Janet Kastl WSDOH janet.griffithkastl@doh.wa.gov (360) 236-2829

Kyle Kitchel FHWA – FLH kyle.kitchel@fhwa.dot.gov (360) 619-7951

Kathryn Kruger Safety Restraint Coalition kathyk@800bucklup.org (425) 828-8975

Mike Lasnier Suquamish Tribe mlasnier@suquamish.nsn.us (360) 394-8538

Tony Leingang WSDOT-Olumpic Region leingag@WSDOT.wa.gov (253) 548-2430

Jim Longley Nisqually Tribe longley.jim@nisqually-nsn.gov (360) 456-5221

Carla Marconi Colville Confederated Tribes bierle.marconi@gmail.com (509) 631-0395

Marcia Marsh Washington State Patrol marcia.marsh@wsp.wa.gov (360) 596-4132

Daniel Mathis FHWA – Washington Division Daniel.Mathis@dot.gov (360) 753-9413

John M. Moffat NHTSA john.moffat@dot.gov (206) 220-7640

Cherie Moomaw Colville Confederated Tribes cherie.moomaw@ (509) 631-4395
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

A-2

Name Affiliation E-Mail Telephone

colvilletribes.com

T.J. Nedrow WSDOT/WaTIMCo nedrowt@wsdot.wa.gov (360) 357-2728

Chimai Ngo Federal Highway Administration chimai.ngo@dot.gov (202) 366-1231

David Nicol Federal Highway Administration david.nicol@dot.gov (202) 366-9198

Jeffrey M. Otis Washington State Patrol jeff.otis@wsp.wa.gov (509) 227-6608

Carolyn Pence Kitsap County Traffic Safety Task Force cpence@co.kitsap.wa.us (360) 337-4647

Don Petersen FHWA – Washington Division don.petersen@dot.gov (360) 534-9323

Jodi Petersen Federal Highway Administration Jodi.Petersen@dot.gov (360) 534-9325

Richard J. Phillips Washington State Department of Transportation phillips@wsdot.wa.gov (360) 705-7287

Lowell Porter Washington Traffic Safety Commission lporter@wtsc.wa.gov (360) 753-6197

Richard A Rolland NW Tribal Technical Assistance Program – EWU rrolland@ewu.edu (509) 359-6829

Eveline Roy Chelan-Douglas Traffic Safety er.roy@verizon.net (509) 670-8914

Jeff Sass Washington State Patrol jeff.sass@wsp.wa.gov (206) 786-3945

Greg Schertz Federal Lands Highway greg.schertz@fhwa.dot.gov (720) 963-3764

John Scrivner Puyallup Tribe

Virgil Seymour Colville Confederated Tribes virgil.seymour@

colvilletribes.com

(509) 631-4211

Keri Shepherd TSSCC kerils761@yahoo.com (360) 739-8653

Lt. Steve C. Smeland Washington State Patrol steven.smeland@wsp.wa.gov (360) 427-2180

Avis Spencer Fort Belknap Indian Community akspencer@ftbelknap-nsn.gov (406) 353-3221

Michael Stately Shoalwater Bay Tribe

Kim Stube Cowlitz Indian Tribe kstube@cowlitz.org (360) 232-8526

Ricardo Suarez FHWA Central Federal Lands Highway Division ricardo.suarez@fhwa.dot.gov (720) 963-3448

Rance S. Sutten Lummi Nation Police Department rances@lummi-nsn.gov (360) 384-2266

Ted Trepanier Washington State Department of Transportation trepant@wsdot.wa.gov (360) 705-7280

Michael Turcott Washington State Patrol michael.turcott@wsp.wa.gov (360) 596-4124

Sarah Vaughn Pacific County Safety Task Force sa3704va@yahoo.com (360) 520-9860

Kirk Vinish Lummi Indian Business Council miaa@lummi-nsn.gov (360) 384-2307

Theodora Wallace Puyallup Tribe teddy.wallace@

puyalluptribe.com

(253) 573-7984

Kathy Williams Washington State Department of Health kathy.williams@doh.wa.gov (360) 236-2862

Christian Wilson Washington State Patrol cwilson@wtsc.wa.gov (360) 596-4130

David A. Wright Whatcom County Traffic Safety Coordinator dwright@whatcomcounty.us (360) 398-2812

Leslie Wright Federal Highway Administration leslie.wright@dot.gov
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

B-1

Appendix B: Agenda

MAY 27-28, 2009

WASHINGTON TRIBAL TRAFFIC SAFETY SUMMIT AGENDA

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27TH TRIBAL TRAFFIC SAFETY SUMMIT SESSION I

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Registration

12:00 PM – 12:15 PM Welcome and Introductions

Brian Thompson, Squaxin Island Tribe

12:15 PM – 1:00 PM Opening Session 

U.S. Traffic Safety Issues

David Nicol, Director, FHWA Office of Safety Design

Washington Traffic Safety Issues 

Ted Trepanier, Washington Department of Transportation

Tribal Traffic Safety Issues

Brian Cladoosby, Chairman, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community

1:00 – 1:45 PM Plenary Panel: Safety

The 4Es of Safety

Brian Clark, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

Importance of Data

Geneva Hawkins, WSDOT Transportation Data Office

Washington’s Target Zero

Lowell Porter, Director, WA Traffic Safety Commission

1:45 PM – 2:00 PM Break

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM 4E Breakout Groups – Developing Recommendations for Tribal Safety

3:30 PM – 3:45 PM Break

3:45 PM – 5:00 PM 4E Breakout Groups (Continued)

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Dinner, Networking, and Resource Tables
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

B-2

THURSDAY, MAY 28TH TRIBAL TRAFFIC SAFETY SUMMIT SESSION II

7:00 AM ‐ 8:00 AM Registration

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM 4E Breakout Groups (Continued)

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Breakout Group Reports and Panel Led Discussion

Mike Lasnier, Chief, NATEO

Dan Mathis, Division Administrator, FHWA

John Moffat, Regional Administrator, NHTSA

Lowell Porter, Director, WA Traffic Safety Commission

Kirk Vinish, Chairman, TTPO

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM Break

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM Breakout Group Reports and Panel Led Discussion (Continued)

11:15 AM – 11:30 AM Adopt Summit Recommendations

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Closing Session

Continuing the Dialogue & Next Steps

Kathleen Davis, Director, WSDOT Highways & Local Programs

Closing Thoughts

Craig Bill, Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

C-1

Appendix C: Breakout

Group Comments

In addition to the specific recommendations listed in the Summits 

Results section of this report, the following notes reflect other

comments and suggestions made by Summit participants during 

the breakout group discussions.

 Education

Over half of the accidents on Tribal roadways involved at least 

two of the three most common contributing factors (impairment, 

unrestrained, speeding). This must be addressed.

Emphasize the 4Ds (drugging, drinking, driving, distractions), 

not just drinking.

Create a compare and contrast document to educate about the 

variation in Tribal and non-Tribal laws. Post it, print it, get it out 

there, and enforce it.

There must be ongoing dialogue and continuing efforts among 

stakeholders. This cannot just be a periodic topic of discussion.

Educate teachers, law enforcement, council, staff, etc.; not just the 

public.

Promote healthy communities via multidisciplinary partnerships. 

It is not just traffic (DOH, law, elders, youth, social services, feds,

state, county, etc.).

Continuing education (theme repetition) is important for raising 

awareness.

Everyone needs to be on board promoting the same theme but in 

ways that reach the various age/education/income groups. 

Examples include: elder PSAs/storytelling, peer mentoring, real 

life stories from the people impacted, signage, SADD, kids 

teaching kids, child “peer pressuring” of the adults, TV, radio, 

newspapers, classes (drivers education for youth and adults, 
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

C-2

empowering life decision/leadership courses, offenders class 

(funded via ticketing)), fun week for youth (basketball tournament) that requires class attendance to participate, annual long 

house memorial (remembering those who died on roadways) for 

the community (make it personal).

Advocating for kids is needed – they don’t get to choose who

they ride with. Teen drivers (high-risk group) put a higher risk 

on their younger siblings when they have to drive them to 

preschool.

Take ownership of your own local issues – use of elders has been 

a huge success. Helping to connect the generational gap with 

youth and elders also is working (pride in heritage).

Develop maps with data and include in community presentations 

and publications.

Identify similar issues and promote best practices for small and

rural communities.

Need a clearinghouse for stakeholders; i.e., what worked, 

resources, points of contact, funding sources, etc.

Utilize existing functions/resources (clearinghouse, forums, 

groups, etc.)

Go to the Tribal Council first to start the education process. Get 

them on board. Councils need to create a department with staff 

to implement programs and projects for continuous educational 

opportunities, activities, resource development, meetings, community outreach, publications, strategic planning, etc.

Cultivate partnerships with Tribes, regional, state, and Federal

groups.

Tribal representatives need to be included in stakeholders/

partners lists. Need to have the Tribal councils involved. There 

are 14 council members. One way would be through the 

Affiliated Tribes of NW Indians. The Centennial Accord Meeting 

on June 23 and 24 would be a good time to raise awareness. A 

letter could be sent to Tribal Chairs to say we have problems and 

would like to present those to the Councils.

Encourage both State and Tribes to be involved with the WTSC. 

How do we get all 29 Tribes to come to the table? Don’t be afraid 

to call the Tribes to come to meetings. Reach out! Recruit Tribal

person to be on the Commission.
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

C-3

WTSC has an Advisory Board that includes a Tribal member, but 

it should be encouraged to have a Tribal member on the WTSC. 

This Board was created after the development of Target Zero. 

Increased communication between Tribes and the Transportation 

Data Office (WSDOT) will help Tribes understand the need for 

data and use standardized processes, forms, etc.

Tribal data must be protected from other entities to ensure sovereignty and cultural preservation (no names released just data, 

effects on historically significant sites).

Tribes are sovereign Nations, which distinguishes them from 

other minority groups.

Tribal governments are not required to follow state regulations.

Target Zero should be inclusive of all populations, but should consider sovereign Tribal governmental regulations, ordinances, policies, data, etc.

A separate chapter in Target Zero should focus specifically on 

Tribes or there should be a Target Zero supplement for Tribes.

MOUs and MOAs may be appropriate instead of addressing 

Tribal issues in a separate chapter of Target Zero. The State may 

need to work with individual Tribes to ensure their needs are 

met. Make sure to emphasize Tribal sovereignty. 

Target Zero may need a statement recognizing each tribe is different; hence, the State needs to work with them individually. Specific Tribal objectives and strategies developed and reviewed by 

the Tribes should be included in each chapter. Provide more 

emphasis on rural roads. 

WA Tribes need to establish a forum to address Target Zero issues.

Lack of resources continues to be a major barrier.

Tribes can use Target Zero as a policy document to justify funding 

requests to State and other sources. 

 Enforcement

Continue child seat and similar programs because it changes a 

mind-set. Need to educate people about these things (i.e., 

resources for seats).
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

C-4

Explore ways to help enforcement with driving while impaired, 

other than alcohol.

Tribal police should be better trained on DUI, Drug Recognition 

Evaluation competency, ARIDE (crash intervention), and 

Standard Field Sobriety Testing.

Dedicate funding to local Tribes for high visibility enforcement 

initiatives and established employee patrol.

Some Tribes do not want to hear about a hard approach to DUI.

Conduct a training needs assessment in Tribes.

Overtime funding to fill in when officers are at training would 

allow more Tribal officers to attend training.

Provide technical assistance in problem identification, developing 

safety plans, and developing grant applications.

Provide data to Tribes to help identify their issues and help them 

solve their problems. Do not assume Tribes want to do things the 

way the State has done it. 

Need for a traffic safety resource position for code development 

and technical assistance.

Distribute Tribal safety video and announce a $5,000 grant to all 

Tribes and police department chiefs.

Only 18 of 29 Tribes have been supported with grants. Need to 

do more to make sure all Tribes understand grants are available 

and reach out to Tribes that have not received grants in the recent 

past.

Need to focus on relationships and communication with Tribes.

A new approach may earn trust with some Tribes.

Tribal Leadership needs to play a strong role in these education/

enforcement programs. This partnership needs to be worked on. 

Educate them and find champions within Tribal leadership.

 Engineering

Some areas do not have a policy or process for reducing the speed 

limit on their roadways. Whatcom County uses MUTCD. 
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

C-5

The Shoalwater Bay Tribe worked successfully with the state

DOT engineers on reducing speed limits along highways. 

Tribes may have difficulty working with MPOs due to unclear 

project selection criteria.

RTPOs and MPOs are not subject to growth management 

accountability; hence, incorporating Tribal plans may be difficult.

The MPOs and RTPOs must comply with grant program criteria 

that sometimes restrict what the funds can be used for (e.g., Safe 

Routes to Schools). Tribal transportation plans and projects must 

have data supporting the need. 

MPO processes (i.e., scoring of projects for funds) should be 

linked to Target Zero. 

More reservation maps are needed (WSDOT, Data, TLO, TTPO, 

and BIA).

BIA road inventory needs to be accurate (no funding equals poor 

safety). 

The State should assist and support Tribes in the production of 

accurate road inventories. 

Federal Lands should add to their FAQs the reason Tribes need to 

have letters from local agencies regarding road inventory data. 

Of the State’s 29 Tribes, 27 have reservation lands. Only 4 Tribes 

have submitted data to WSDOT. Trust and confidentiality 

remain factors despite the government-to-government agreement 

for courts. 

Developing a Frequently Asked Questions brochure on data 

sharing may be beneficial; however, face-to-face meetings (with 

the Attorney General, et al.) to ensure understanding of legalities

may be necessary. 

To save on costs, Tribes often hire engineers for specific projects, 

rather than keeping one on staff. Getting engineering help is a 

problem for the Tribes. Would it be possible for WSDOT engineers to assist the Tribes by coming out to “walk” the project and 

provide feedback on the issues and suggest potential solutions?

It would be helpful to cite examples of state/local agency policies

and processes in the Target Zero document showing implementation methods related to the various objectives. 
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

C-6

Revise Target Zero to evaluate and accommodate pedestrian needs 

on every project. 

Transit accommodations (i.e., pullouts) should be considered as 

safety measures. Target Zero provides little information or guidance regarding transit (e.g., the safety of pedestrians traveling to

and from transit stops). 

Target Zero should provide a stronger focus on the challenges 

faced by older drivers (size/reflectivity of signs, lighting, etc.) 

and address transitioning the elderly to transit when they should

no longer drive. 

New state requirements are forthcoming addressing sign reflectivity. Update signs in compliance with new guides.

FHWA does not advise the state/local governments about the 

frequency with which signs should be changed to ensure 

reflectivity.

Strategies should be added to Target Zero for weather-related hazards (e.g., water over the roadway) and better delineation (e.g., 

safety markers versus snow plows). 

More turnouts (or passing lanes) are needed along roadways to 

allow slow-moving vehicles to pull over and let others pass

(related to Target Zero strategies on page 77 and page 86).

Target Zero should drill down to the next level and include more 

detail about how to implement the objectives and strategies (i.e., 

provide sample policies in an appendix).

Reservation roads need to be brought up to design standards (i.e., 

guardrail, slopes, etc.) to avoid run off the road problems and 

safety audits should be required.

Need to address the differing design standards between BIA and 

WSDOT.

The application of standards for pedestrian facilities (what is

acceptable/not acceptable) needs to be clarified. 

Utilize core safety groups plus traffic safety task forces.
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

C-7

 Emergency Medical Services

EMS covers what happens after a crash occurs and how it affects 

survivability. 

Need a seamless delivery of service!

Tribal and non-Tribal responders need proper attire and training 

to handle work areas and blockages on the road. 

An E-911 committee develops criteria for dispatch centers, provide funding and training, but each county has their own dispatch protocol. Some dispatch centers do not have adequate 

medical training to ensure appropriate use of EMS resources.

In rural areas (including reservations), a crash most likely 

resulting in an injury somewhere else may become a fatality due 

to the long response time and the time to get the victim to an adequate medical facility. This situation is actually getting worse in 

Washington as Level II trauma services disappear.

The issues many of the Tribes deal with are the same as or similar 

to rural communities. A joint meeting could be held engaging 

both communities to discuss common issues.

Target Zero could be used as a great foundation for a rural/Tribal 

fair. 

The state highway patrol was formed in part to provide enforcement and safety on remote and rural highways across the State. 

EMS could follow a similar pattern recognizing that fatality 

reductions require quicker response times in rural than in urban 

or suburban areas. 

Develop collaboration among EMS providers and agencies across 

jurisdictional boundaries (similar to law enforcement crossdeputization agreements).

Ensure Tribal, state, and local leaders understand where EMS 

coverage and coordination gaps exist and the ramifications of 

these gaps. 

An overview of current Washington EMS data includes:

EMS transport data (but it is not complete);

Hospitalization data;

Trauma registry and fatality data;
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

C-8

Trauma center maps;

Strategic traffic data coordinating committee and plan 

(Section 408); and

Don’t have emergency department data.

A data analysis overview was shared looking specifically at state 

data versus Tribal data. Lots of specific elements are outside the 

norm for Tribes as compared to the State (i.e., safety belt usage, 

rollovers, etc.). 

Maps are available that show response times to all areas across 

the State. A map showing response times and reservation locations could be developed and used for educational purposes and 

to identify locations where the 30-minute goal is not met 

(identifying “dead zones” where services are needed). This also

may show if a connection exists between high Tribal/rural 

fatality rate and response times. Additionally, mapping can be 

used to look at the location of development (particularly Casinos) 

and the response time or need for additional EMS providers.

NHTSA is working with OnStar to gather data.

A basic level of training for fire and EMS responders is needed.

Certification of EMS providers is provided by the State and the 

group is not aware of any separate certification provided by BIA 

or IHS.

Encourage recruitment and retention of EMS technicians.

If Tribes had money, they could contract EMS Services with IHS.

EMS is eligible for grants through the BIA 402 Indian Highway 

Safety Program.

Demand for public safety within Tribal policy is generally 

lacking.

No one was aware of any Tribe with a policy for EMS response, 

coordination, and communication.

Non-Tribal entity (county, service provider, fire) could provide 

Tribal governments with applicable examples of EMS policies for 

response, coordination, and communication.

Develop policy language in Target Zero Tribes could adopt.
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

C-9

Best practices and information should be shared among all entities, including Tribal governments. 

The Quinault ambulance service should be a model for other 

Tribes.

Target Zero currently includes 13 strategies to reduce injury 

deaths and hospitalizations.

To keep in line with Target Zero’s long-term plan, a pilot assessment or demonstration project of the EMS status and needs on 

one reservation could be carried out and used to determine how it 

might be applied with other Tribes (possibly start with the 

Colville Tribe).

Encourage Tribes to become more involved in Washington Fire 

Chiefs Association.

Need better communication, participation, and feedback with 

Tribal governments pertaining to EMS.
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

D-1

Appendix D:

Speaker Bios

 David Nicol

David Nicol is the Director of the Federal Highway 

Administration’s Office of Safety Design, a position he has held 

since January 2008. 

David previously served as the Division Administrator of 

FHWA’s Colorado Division. He has held management positions 

with Federal Highway Administration in California and 

Delaware, and various engineering and planning positions in 

FHWA’s Georgia Division.

David holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from 

Southeastern Massachusetts University, and is a Registered 

Professional Engineer in the State of Georgia.

 Ted Trepanier, P.E.

Ted Trepanier is the Director of Traffic Operations for the 

Washington State Department of Transportation, with 25 years of 

experience in traffic and transportation engineering. He has a 

comprehensive background with experience in traffic operations, 

planning and project management. Ted is a member of the 

AASHTO Standing Committee on Highway Traffic Safety, the 

Subcommittee on Systems Operations and Management, the 

Subcommittee on Traffic Engineering, and has recently been 

appointed to a technical committee focused on Safer Road 

Operations for the World Road Association. Ted earned his 

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Washington State 

University and his Master’s in Civil Engineering from the 

University of Washington.

 Chairman Brian Cladoosby

Brian Cladoosby has served in the Senate of Swinomish Indian 

Tribal Community for 25 years. He was elected as the Vice Chair 

of the Senate in 1996 and the Chairman in 1997. Last year, 
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

D-2

Chairman Cladoosby was elected as the Chairman of the 

Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) and to the 

Executive Board of the National Congress of American Indians 

(NCAI). He has been happily married to his wife Nina (Lummi) 

for 31 years and has two daughters, one son-in-law, and one 

granddaughter. 

 Brian D. Clark, P.E.

Brian is in charge of the Roads and Transportation Office for the 

Colville Tribe in Nespelem, Washington. He oversees all transportation matters for the Tribe, including roads maintenance, 

construction, engineering, transportation planning, traffic safety, 

and the Inchelium-Gifford Ferry. He also serves as a member of 

the Washington State Tribal Traffic Safety Advisory Board along 

with several other transportation-related organizations.

Before returning home to work for his Tribe in 2004, he worked in 

the Consulting Business for 10 years at the offices of Womer and 

Associates in Spokane. He graduated from the University of 

Washington with a Bachelor’s degree of Science and Civil 

Engineering in 1994. Some of his current transportation projects 

and accomplishments include the design and construction management of the new road improvements for the Peter Dan road 

safety improvement project, North End Omak Lake Road 

(Paschal Sherman Indian School roadway), design of the 

Nespelem Bike Path on S.R. Hwy 155, Cache Creek Road Safety 

Improvements, and management of a comprehensive inventory 

of over 2,000 miles of Indian Reservation Roadways (IRR) within 

the bounds of the Colville Reservation.

 Geneva R. Hawkins

Geneva Hawkins works for the WSDOT Transportation Data 

Office in the Collision Data and Analysis Branch. She has spent 

the last nine years accurately capturing, analyzing, and reporting 

motor vehicle collision data. Geneva has participated in all 

aspects of collision data analysis and has extensive customer service experience. Her technical experience includes involvement 

with developing new publications, i.e., annual collision summaries, as well as assisting with departmental programs that identify 

roadway safety deficiencies. Because of her exceptional understanding of collision data and dedication to service, many internal 

and external customers rely on her expertise to provide them the 

data they need. Geneva’s dedication and passion for her work 

within the traffic safety community is outstanding.
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

D-3

 Lowell Porter

Lowell M. Porter was appointed Director of the Washington 

Traffic Safety Commission on March 1, 2005, by Governor 

Christine Gregoire. Mr. Porter began his career with the Patrol in 

1980 and rose up through the ranks to become Chief at age 47, 

replacing Ron Serpas in 2004.

Prior to his appointment as Chief, he headed the Patrol’s Field 

Operations Bureau which includes management of over 900 

uniformed officers, security for the Washington State ferries, the 

aviation section, and the Governor’s executive protection unit. 

Porter is a graduate of the 195th session of the FBI National 

Academy.

Mr. Porter is a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in 

Tacoma and has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration 

from City University, and a Master’s degree from Gonzaga 

University in Organizational Leadership.

 Susan B Herbel

Dr. Susan Herbel is a Principal of Cambridge Systematics, Inc.

with more than two and a half decades of experience developing, 

implementing, and evaluating safety programs at the Federal, 

state, local, and Tribal levels. She has facilitated and managed 

large, multidisciplinary groups and projects in support of safety 

planning processes. She developed a concept for, facilitated, and 

documented a Tribal Transportation Safety Planning Forum in 

Montana; participated in a project to develop a training program 

on integrating safety into the Tribal planning processes, provided 

oversight in the identification and documentation of Noteworthy 

Practices reports on the Navajo and Lummi Nations Indian 

Tribes; has provided consultation and leadership in several states 

on Tribal issues during the development of Strategic Highway 

Safety Plans; and most recently for FHWA facilitated Tribal safety 

summits in Arizona and Minnesota and is assisting with the 

planning and facilitation for another in New Mexico.

 Daniel M. Mathis, P.E.

Dan Mathis is the Division Administrator for the Washington 

Division of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in 

Olympia, Washington. He is responsible for overall coordination, 

stewardship, and oversight in delivering the American Recovery 

and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds and the Federal-aid 

Highway funds, to the State of Washington. He has been in this 

position since July 2001.
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

D-4

A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Dan attended Moorhead 

State University (Moorhead, Minnesota) and received a Bachelor 

of Science in Civil Engineering from North Dakota State 

University (Fargo, North Dakota) in 1979. He is a Registered 

Professional Engineer in California and a member of the 

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). 

Dan joined FHWA in 1979 and has worked in Wisconsin, 

Oklahoma, California, Washington, D.C., Iowa, and Illinois prior 

to coming to Washington State. 

Dan and his wife, Mary, have three children – two in college and 

one in high school. Dan loves the outdoors and is an avid runner, 

biker, and hiker. 

 Kirk Vinish

Kirk Vinish, AICP serves as the Transportation Planner for the 

Lummi Nation. He is presently developing a comprehensive 

safety element to the Nation’s Transportation Plan. He has 

actively participated with several Tribal transportation organizations, including: Alternate to the Intertribal Transportation 

Organization, representative to Transportation Committee of the 

Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and chairman of the Tribal 

Transportation Planning Organization. Mr. Vinish has a degree 

in Urban and Regional Planning and has been certified by the 

American Institute of Certified Planners.

 Chief Mike Lasnier

Suquamish Police Chief Mike Lasnier has been in Law 

Enforcement since 1987, and has been serving Indian Country for 

over a decade as a Police Chief. He served the Lower Elwha 

Klallam Tribe for eight years, and has worked for the Suquamish 

Tribe for the past five years. The Chief is a graduate of 

Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, 

has served two terms as President of the N.W. Association of 

Tribal Enforcement Officers, and is an active member of the 

Indian Country Section for the International Association of Chiefs 

of Police. He is an active advocate for Tribal Law Enforcement 

issues, and currently is the Chairman of the NATEO Legislative 

Committee. He previously served six years as a Narcotics 

Detective, as well as tours as a Major Crimes Detective and 

Training Manager. He spent eight years on a regional SWAT 

team in King County, and also served as a firearms instructor, 

Field Training Officer Instructor, Tactical Tracker, Reserve 

Academy Commander, and has been a Master Defensive Tactics 
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

D-5

Instructor since 1989. He is a Marine Corps Veteran, serving as a 

Platoon Sergeant for a Scout/Sniper unit. He has two wonderful 

teenaged sons, is an amateur boxer, and likes to go trout fishing.

 John M. Moffat

John Moffat is a Regional Administrator for the National 

Highway Traffic Safety Administration. He manages the Federal

highway traffic safety program covering the region that includes 

Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska (Region 10). 

Previously, he was Director of the Washington Traffic Safety 

Commission, the State’s office of traffic safety. He served in that 

capacity as an appointee of Governors Lowry and Locke. 

Prior to WTSC, he served for 25 years as a police officer in Seattle, 

much of the time as Captain of the Traffic Section. He retired in 

1994 as chief of the narcotics detectives. Moffat is widely known 

in traffic safety circles for his work on pedestrian safety law 

enforcement and for his advocacy of “Target Zero,” the elimination of traffic fatalities and death in America.

 Kathleen B. Davis

Kathleen Davis has worked within WSDOT for the last 27 years 

and within the Highways and Local Programs Division since 1992. 

As the Director of Highways and Local Programs, Kathleen is the 

advocate for local agencies. She works hard to ensure local roads 

and streets, bicycle paths, and pedestrian walkways are adequately represented and supported in all of Washington State’s 

transportation plans. As Director, Kathleen administers the 

Federal-aid program on behalf of cities, counties, and Tribes

within WSDOT. She takes pride in promoting cooperative 

planning and partnerships between local agencies within WSDOT 

to support statewide transportation systems.

Kathleen holds a Bachelor’s in Financial Management from the 

University of Maryland. She also has been deeply involved in 

discussions and policy developments for many transportation 

committees, state legislative committees, and participates on the 

national American Public Works Association’s SAFETEA-LU 

Reauthorization Task Force.

Kathleen’s three daughters have graduated from Washington 

colleges. She and her husband, Bryan, reside in Olympia, 

Washington.
Washington Tribal Traffic Safety Summit

D-6

 Craig A. Bill

Craig A. Bill was appointed Director of the Governor’s Office of 

Indian Affairs (GOIA) by Governor Gregoire in July 2005. As the 

Director of the GOIA, he serves as an advisor on Tribal issues and 

liaison between the State of Washington and Indian Tribes and 

Tribal organizations for the Governor’s Office. The GOIA also is

responsible for promoting the government-to-government principles outlined with the 1989 Centennial Accord signed between 

the State and Tribes. Prior to his appointment at the GOIA, Craig 

was the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Advisor to the 

Tribal Chairman for the Lummi Nation Tribal government 

located in Bellingham, Washington. He is a graduate of Central 

Washington University with a Bachelor’s degree and double 

major in Political Science and Social Science. While at Central, 

Craig was a four-year letter winner in football and member of the 

1995 NAIA National Championship team. Craig is an enrolled 

member of the Swinomish Tribe and descendent of the Colville 

Confederated Tribes and Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, 

respectfully.