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From left are Patricia
Bachman, OHS Corporate Outreach Coordinator; Doree Kuhn,
senior director of Hotel Operations for Dover Downs Hotel & Casino;
and Tricia Roberts, OHS Director
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Office of Highway Safety
recognizes Dover Downs Hotel & Casino
with HERO Award
Dover Downs Hotel & Casino was presented
with the HERO Award by the State of Delaware Office of Highway
Safety in a recognition ceremony held at the Department of Safety
and Homeland Security. Several awards were given by OHS to Delaware
businesses for dedication and excellence in implementing successful
programs in 2007 – 2008
that help save lives and prevent injuries by promoting highway
safety.
The OHS-HERO Award is associated with the HERO® Campaign,
a designated driver initiative created by the family of Navy Ensign
John R. Elliott, who was killed in a collision with a drunken driver
in July, 2000. Dover Downs Hotel & Casino adopted the
HERO Campaign in 2006 at each of its food and beverage outlets.
“We are honored to promote the HERO Campaign and support
the efforts of this important program,” said Ed Sutor, president
and chief executive officer. “It has been our hope
that by creating awareness of the campaign we will remind and encourage
our customers to make responsible choices when choosing to consume
alcohol.”
Signage posted outside the property’s restaurants and bars
states: “When you visit any of our restaurants and bars at
Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, please let us know that you are
a designated driver and we will give you a wristband that says ‘Be
a Hero.’ Please show this wristband to your server
or bartender and your Pepsi soft drinks and coffee will be free
of charge.”
At the time of his death, John R. Elliott - a graduate of the
U.S. Naval Academy who was preparing to enter naval flight officer
school - was driving home from Annapolis, Md. to Egg Harbor Township,
N.J. to celebrate his mother’s birthday. The drunken
driver who took the young man’s life was arrested earlier
that same day on suspicion of DUI by the New Jersey State Police. After
his release, the man got back behind the wheel of a vehicle, with
tragic consequences.
The Elliott family has lobbied for tougher laws to prevent drunk
drivers from resuming driving while under the influence of alcohol. John’s
Law, passed in New Jersey and Boston, now requires police to impound
the cars of drunken driving suspects for up to 12 hours. A
federal version providing grant incentives for states who adopt car
impoundment has been signed by President Bush.
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