WHEELING — Representatives of AAA East Central honored area police departments Friday for their outstanding efforts to increase road safety for all motorists.

Awards were presented during a ceremony at Olive Garden at The Highlands. Thirteen West Virginia departments received platinum awards, while an additional four departments were honored with gold and silver awards, or honorable mention.

“We are honored to recognize these local departments for their efforts in the Community Traffic Safety Program,” said Theresa Podguski, director of legislative affairs for AAA East Central. “Each organization has gone above and beyond their call of duty to make their community a safer place for motorists and residents.”

The platinum awards were given to “commendable leaders” for their safety efforts and enforcement activities geared toward making communities safer.

Recipients of the awards included police departments in Belington, McMechen, Moundsville, New Martinsville, Wheeling and Weirton.

Platinum awards also were given to sheriff’s departments in Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio and Wetzel counties and West Virginia State Police Troops 1 in Moundsville and Wheeling.

A gold award, the second highest recognition to be given, was awarded to the Paden City Police Department.

Silver awards were given to police departments in Benwood, Cameron and Follansbee.

AAA East Central conducts a variety of free highway safety programs throughout 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.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 78 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.