Right Column
Christopher J. Murphy Bio
Christopher Murphy was appointed Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and the Governor's Highway Safety Representative by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in August 2005. In September 2007, he was selected to serve a second term as Chairman of the Governors Highway Safety Association. Chris has been with the OTS for more than 21 years, serving in more positions than anyone in the office's 40-year history. He is a member of the AASHTO Highway Transportation Safety Committee on Safety Management and Co-Leader of California’s Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan.
Chris is responsible for administering the California Traffic Safety Program, which includes preparing an annual comprehensive highway traffic safety plan to reduce victims killed and injured in traffic crashes and publishing an Annual Performance Report that details the accomplishments and progress of the California Traffic Safety Program.
Within his role, Chris oversees the day-to-day operations of the Office, and is responsible for the administration, distribution and management of $90 million in traffic safety grants. As Director, Chris is also responsible for setting the department’s annual strategic goals that include working collaboratively with the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency and other departments to extend reach of programs and promote new leadership. He is proactively looking to address and resolve emerging traffic safety trends and issues, building winning partnerships with private sector entities, funding evidenced-based programs, and evaluating and improving policies and procedures by applying future-oriented concepts of technology and management.
Chris earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from California State University, Sacramento, in 1985.