Several Lehigh Valley law enforcement officers were honored June 29 for their efforts to make area roads and highways safer for drivers and passengers in the region.

Recognition awards were given by the Lehigh Valley DUI/Highway Safety Task Force to the officers from cities, boroughs and townships in the Lehigh Valley, as well as troopers from the Bethlehem and Belfast barracks of the Pennsylvania State Police.

“These officers represent all the men and women who work around the clock to keep us safe on our roads and highways,” said Brian Downs, director of Media Relations for the Lehigh Valley Health Network, during a ceremony at Good Will Fire Station, Trexlertown.

Downs and Bill McQuilken, trauma prevention coordinator for LVHN, are co-chairs of the task force, which each year holds the recognition event in conjunction with the Independence Day holiday.

“This holiday, after Thanksgiving, is the time of year when we see the second highest number of automobile crashes,” Downs said.

The theme of the recognition ceremony was “Booze, Belts and Burns,” with alcohol and firework injuries being the factors implicated in most of the emergency room visits over the holiday week.

Seat belts are the mitigating factor that can increase the survivability of a highway accident by 50 percent, Downs said.

The police officers were recognized for the highest number of apprehensions for driving under the influence, and motor vehicle traffic infractions in 2016.

Those honored were: Officer Craig Berger of the Allentown Police Department, for 70 DUI arrests; and Officer Michael Manfredo of the Bethlehem Police Department, for 1,117 traffic violation citations.

Fountain Hill Officer Steven Fritzinger, was honored for 10 DUI arrests, and Fountain Hill Officer David Wood for issuing 1,335 traffic violation citations.

Sgt. Dathan Schlegel of the Upper Macungie Township Police Department was honored for making 38 DUI arrests; and Cpl. Bryan Losagio of the Salisbury Township Police Department was honored for issuing 1,358 traffic violation citations.

In addition, Trooper Timothy McManus III, of State Police Troop M, Fogelsville, who made 61 DUI arrests in 2016: and Trooper Stephen Zicker, of state police Belfast barracks, for issuing 570 traffic violation apprehensions last year were honored.