The Highways Agency's Traffic Officer Service has been recognised at the Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards.

The award was presented to Simon Sheldon-Wilson, the Highways Agency's director of traffic management, at the Agency's West Midlands regional control centre in Quinton, Birmingham.

Adrian Walsh, Director at RoadSafe, who presented the award on behalf of Prince Michael of Kent, said: "Traffic officers make a significant contribution to the safety of our major roads, their presence certainly deters drivers from breaking the law and they are often the first on the scene when a crash occurs."

Sheldon-Wilson said: "Traffic officers work during all hours and in all conditions and are routinely tested by incidents ranging from debris on the carriageway to the effects of the most severe winter conditions in decades.

"I am very proud of their dedication and professionalism, helping and supporting road users in a range of pressurised and sometimes traumatic circumstances and I'm delighted to accept this prestigious award on behalf of everyone within the Traffic Officer Service."

Representatives from the Traffic Officer Service will now join around four hundred people and special guests including roads minister Mike Penning at the annual awards ceremony in London, where Prince Michael will announce his 2012 Premier Award. This is presented to the most outstanding winner of any category and kept as a surprise until the announcement is made.