Navajo Nation police in Shiprock, New Mexico, have received an Indian Health Service award for efforts to highway traffic fatalities.

The Shiprock Department of Criminal Investigations has stepped up patrols on Navajo Route 36. The increased presence has resulted in a drop in speeding incidents from 45 percent in 2004 to 17 percent currently.

Also, there have been no fatalities this year. Last year, nine people died on the highway.

Nationally, motor vehicle deaths among American Indians and Alaska Natives are the highest in the U.S. The Navajo Nation region has one of the highest rates in Indian Country.

Get the Story:
Shiprock police win national award (The Farmington Daily Times 6/8)

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