New Jerseyans Support John’s Law and HERO Campaign According to Monmouth University

Somers Point, N.J. - A state law requiring police to impound the cars of drunken drivers, and a grassroots campaign to promote designated driving have received the overwhelming support of New Jersey residents, according to a new poll conducted by Monmouth University. Both initiatives were inspired by the death of Navy Ensign John Elliott of Egg Harbor Township, Atlantic County, who was killed in a collision with a drunken driver in July, 2000, two months after graduating with honors from the United States Naval Academy.

Campaign organizers hope the New Jersey survey results will encourage more states to adopt the life-saving law and drunken driving prevention program.

A survey of Garden State residents taken by the Monmouth University Polling Institute found that more than 9-in-10 (93 percent) believe the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers® is an important program to prevent drunk driving by promoting the use of sober designated drivers. In fact, 75 percent said call the HERO Campaign “very important.” Close to 1-in-5 (19 percent) of those surveyed recall seeing HERO Campaign billboards, car window decals, tavern posters or commercials promoting the campaign.

More than 8-in-10 (82 percent) of those surveyed support John’s Law, named for Ensign Elliott, who was killed by a heavily intoxicated driver who had been arrested and released by police earlier the same evening. Passed in 2001, John’s Law gives police the power to impound the cars of DUI suspects for up to 12 hours to prevent them from driving again while still drunk. More than 4-in-10 (42 percent) New Jersey adults said they were aware of the law.

“New Jerseyans give widespread support to the efforts of both the HERO Campaign and John’s Law to reduce drunk driving incidents,” said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute.

An estimated 200,000 New Jersey motorists, including the New Jersey State Police, display HERO decals on their cars, and close to 100 highway billboards across the state, including the New Jersey Turnpike, have carried the HERO message: “Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver”. Even Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands has adopted the HERO Campaign, and serves free soft drinks to designated drivers.

The HERO Campaign has gained the support of law enforcement officials, bar and tavern owners, and schools and colleges throughout the state, including Monmouth. In December, 2006, Governor Jon Corzine declared New Jersey a “HERO State,” in honor of the campaign. Delaware and Virginia have followed New Jersey as hero states.

John’s Law has been hailed by state and local police as an important tool in their efforts to combat drunk driving. Versions of John’s Law have been enacted in Maryland and Massachusetts.

“We are pleased and proud that our fellow New Jerseyans believe John’s Law and the HERO Campaign are important and making a difference,” stated Bill Elliott, Ensign Elliott’s father, and chairman and founder of the HERO Campaign. “We hope the survey results will encourage more states to adopt both John's Law and the HERO Campaign, and more bars, taverns and colleges will join our efforts to promote designated driving and prevent drunk driving tragedies nationwide."

In 2008, the HERO Campaign received the Public Service Award by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the National Lieutenant Governor’s Association endorsed the campaign. For more information, visit the HERO Campaign’s website:
http://www.herocampaign.org

The survey was conducted by telephone with 808 New Jersey adults on September 11-14, 2008 by the Monmouth University Polling Institute. It has a margin of error of + 3.5 percent.

View the polling information

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