SOMERS POINT — The John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers and the Somers Point, Northfield and Avalon police departments kick offed a Thanksgiving Bar & Tavern initiative aimed at preventing drunken driving by unveiling newly wrapped HERO patrol vehicles for each municipality in separate ceremonies this week.
HERO-wrapped Ford Explorers from the Somers Point and Northfield police departments were unveiled at noon Nov. 22 at the William Morrow Beach in Somers Point.
A HERO-wrapped Ford Taurus from the Avalon Police Department was unveiled at 1 p.m. Nov. 24 at Veterans Plazaon Dune Drive.
Since Thanksgiving Eve, the HERO Campaign has been teaming up with shore-area bar owners to thank patrons who choose not to drink and drive. Beginning Nov. 22, drivers who leave their automobiles parked overnight at participating establishments will find “HERO Thank You” gift certificates on their windshields the next morning.
Participating Somers Point bars and taverns:
• Anchorage Tavern Restaurant
• Charlie’s Bar & Restaurant
• The Crab Trap
• Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar
• Josie Kelly’s Public House
• Windjammer Café Bar Grille
Participating Avalon bars and taverns:
• Princeton Bar & Grill and Circle Tavern
• Rock n‘ Chair
• Whitebrier Restaurant
• Concord Cafe
• Avalon Yacht Club
• ICONA Resorts
“Thanksgiving Eve begins the holiday season when good times often include alcoholic beverages. This simple reward program emphasizes the important role of designated drivers in making sure everyone arrives home safely,” said Bill Elliott, HERO Campaign chairman. “In the spirit of the season of gratitude, we are saying ‘thank you’ to those who choose not to drink and drive.”
“This HERO Campaign-wrapped police vehicle will be proudly patrolling the streets of Avalon in honor of Ensign John R. Elliott, to remind everyone of the importance of being, or using a responsible designated driver,” said Avalon Police Chief Jeffrey R. Christopher.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 40 percent of traffic-related deaths during the holidays are a result of drunken drivers, compared to just 28 percent for the rest of the year. Annually, 1,200 people die between Thanksgiving and New Year’s as a result of drunken driving, and 25,000 are injured in traffic accidents caused by alcohol.
The HERO Campaign was created in memory of Navy Ensign John Elliott of Egg Harbor Township, who was killed in a collision with a drunken driver near Woodstown in July 2000, two months after graduating from the United States Naval Academy, where he was named the “Outstanding HERO” of his graduating class. The Elliott family and friends established the HERO Campaign to prevent drunk driving by promoting the use of safe and responsible designated drivers.
Somers Point, Northfield and Avalon now join a fleet of two dozen HERO-wrapped patrol/emergency vehicles from municipalities throughout southern New Jersey, including Atlantic City, Egg Harbor Township (police SUV and EMS Humvee), Evesham Township, Galloway Township, Linwood, Little Egg Harbor Township, Lower Township, Margate, Middle Township, North Wildwood, Ocean City, Longport, Sea Girt, Sea Isle City, Pleasantville, Ventnor and Vineland.
A Stockton University HERO Security Patrol Vehicle was unveiled in October. The Piscataway Police Department utilizes a HERO-wrapped highway safety trailer. Each of these vehicles has been wrapped with the HERO Campaign logo and safety message, “Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver.”
The HERO Campaign is now saving lives throughout New Jersey and several neighboring states, including Pennsylvania and Delaware, through its partnerships with law enforcement; schools and colleges; federal and state highway safety organizations; the licensed beverage industry; and professional sports teams. Since its inception in 2000, the HERO Campaign has grown into a major movement to prevent impaired driving that has received national recognition and awards. It has also helped to reduce alcohol-related fatalities and incidents, including a 20-percent reduction in DUI fatalities in New Jersey and other states over the past decade. For more information visit HEROcampaign.org or call (609) 626-3880.