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April 19, 2001, New Jersey Acting Governor Donald DiFrancesco signed
"John's Law," making it the the first law of its kind in
the country. John's Law requires police to impound the cars of those
charged with drunken driving for up to 12 hours, and issue responsibility
warnings to those taking custody of the DUI offenders. The law, which
went into effect on August 1, 2001, has been hailed by law enforcement
officials as an important new weapon in their efforts to reduce drunk
driving accidents and fatalities.
Text
of John’s Law in New Jersey
August, 2000
- The Elliott family approaches state legislators about sponsoring
a bill to toughen drunk driving legislation.
September
21, 2000 - The "John Elliott Law" is introduced in
the New Jersey Senate and Assembly. State Senator William Gormely
is the prime sponsor. The new legislation could give police the
authority to impound the cars of drunken drivers for a period of
12 hours. Another provision would require the detention of intoxicated
drivers until they are sober, or until friends or relatives take
legal written responsibility for keeping the DWI offender off the
road while still intoxicated.
October
22, 2000 - Campaign to enact John’s Law launched publicly
at dedication of John Elliott Memorial Garden and Monument at the
family home. The Elliott family also announces the official start
of their Hero Campaign for Designated Drivers in John’s memory.
Click
here for news coverage of event
January
18, 2001 - John’s father Bill Elliott testifies in support
of the John Elliott Law to the Law and Public Safety Committee of
the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey. John’s girlfriend,
Kristen Hohenwarter also testifies. John’s father presents
the lawmakers with 8,500 signatures supporting the passage of John’s
Law.
Click here for the text of those comments
April
19, 2001 - Signing of John’s Law by New Jersey Governor
Donald DiFrancesco at the Elliott’s hometown library in Egg
Harbor Township.
News coverage and Bill Elliott’s
comments
View plaque presented by Elliott family to Governor DiFrancesco
August
1, 2001 - John’s Law goes into effect, requiring police
to impound the cars of those charged with drunken driving, and to
issue responsibility warnings to those who take custody of DUI suspects.
Comments
by Bill Elliott at news conference with
NJ Attorney General John
Farmer, July 2, 2001
Video news coverage of 1st year anniversary
of John’s death
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