The moment — more than 25 years ago — still resonates today. And is just as horrific.
A man arrested and jailed for drunk driving, was released just a few hours later, got
behind the wheel — still impaired — and was the cause of an accident that killed John
Elliott, a young Navy Ensign from Egg Harbor Township in the summer of 2000.
Determined that his son would not be forgotten, and that no other family should live
through a similar moment, the state passed John’s Law, the first law in the nation
requiring police to impound the vehicles of motorists charged with drunk driving for 12
hours to prevent them from resuming driving while still intoxicated.
An estimated 700,000 vehicles have been impounded under John’s Law in the past 25
years, according to NJ State Police statistics.
Even more, 47 HERO patrol cars, promoted designated driving, have been produced as
part of an awareness-raising campaign.
Last Thursday in Tinton Falls, more than 300 police chiefs from throughout the state
joined newly appointed State Police Superintendent Jeanne Hengemuhle to recognize
and honor the 25th anniversary of John’s Law.
Bill Elliott, John’s father, helped unveil the new HERO vehicles for the Atlantic County
Sheriff’s Office and the Mays Landing Police Department. He also told his son’s story
and described the history of John’s Law and the HERO Campaign, which his family
established to save lives in his son’s memory.
The Brain Injury Alliance also presented Elliott with the Trooper Scales Memorial Award
in recognition of his efforts to prevent drunk driving.
“The signing of John’s Law was a bittersweet moment for our family,” Bill Elliott said.
“We couldn’t have missed our son more, but we knew the law would save lives, and we
believe it has.”
Chief Andrew Caggiano, President of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of
Police, said the impact of John’s Law is real.
“We can easily track the number of vehicles we’ve impounded over the last 25 years,
but the true measure of John’s Law is found in the numbers we can never truly count:
the empty hospital beds, the families left whole and the countless tragedies that never
happened,” he said. “John’s Law gave law enforcement the power to hit pause on a
dangerous situation, and in doing so, it has undoubtedly saved thousands of lives
across New Jersey.”
Watchung Police Chief Scott Anderle put the movement in perspective to younger
officers.
“If you started your career in the past quarter century, you’ve never known a New
Jersey without John’s Law,” he said. “It’s easy to impound a car and forget about it by
the end of your shift. But I want you to understand the history behind that tow.
“Twenty-five years ago, a family lost their son because an impaired driver got right back
behind the wheel. Because of John’s Law, you will never know how many lives you’ve
saved during your career — but I can promise you, you’ve saved them. Do not treat this
as a routine checklist; treat it like the life-saving intervention it is.”
In 2005, a federal version of John’s Law was passed as an amendment to the
Transportation Act, providing grants to states implementing DUI car impoundment.
In John’s memory, the Elliotts also established the HERO Campaign to promote
designated driving with the goal of preventing other families from suffering the same
loss, which they described as “every family’s worst nightmare.”
Their daughter Jennifer, John’s sister, and her family participate in HERO Campaign
activities and fund-raising events.
The HERO Campaign partners with schools and colleges, police departments, highway
safety agencies, highway billboard companies, NFL and Major League Baseball teams
and bar and tavern owners to promote and recruit designated drivers. More than 150,00
divers have taken the HERO Campaign’s online HERO Pledge not to drink and drive,
and to serve as safe and responsible designated drivers for their friends and family
members. Six states, including New Jersey, officially adopted the HERO Campaign.
“We believe designated drivers are the cure for drinking and driving,” Muriel Elliott,
John’s mother, said.
The campaign also wraps police patrol cars with its signature blue and gold symbol and
message, “Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver,” making the cruisers rolling billboards
reminding motorists to have a designated driver whenever they are drinking alcohol.
More than 40 police cruisers have been wrapped to date.
Michael Rizol, director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, which has
provided grant funding for many of the HERO Patrol vehicles, said they are true to the
cause.
“We are proud to stand alongside the HERO Campaign and its lifesaving mission,” he
said. “Through our funding partnership, we remain committed to preventing impaired
driving and saving lives on New Jersey’s roadways and look forward to continuing this
important partnership.”
In 2017, the state legislature authorized highway signs at the roadside memorial for
ensign Elliott on Rte. 40 in Upper Pittsgrove Township, naming it the John R. Elliott
Memorial Highway.
In 2024, the state also approved legislation naming the new I-295 exit at Route 42 in
Camden County the Ensign John R. Elliott Memorial Interchange.
Bill Elliott said the exit would have offered a safer alternative to the undivided Route 40,
that could have saved his son’s life.
For more information, contact the HERO Campaign at info@herocampaign.org.
