For Immediate Release
Thursday, August 21, 2008
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For
More Information Contact:
Bill Elliott, HERO Campaign
(609) 332-2588
Mary Ann Rayment
(757) 416-1741
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Bill and Muriel Elliott are joined by Governor
Tim Kaine, who declared Virginia the third HERO State in
ceremonies held August 21 in Richmond. They are joined by
David Mitchell, Deputy Commissioner of the Virginia Department
of Motor Vehicles (right).
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(L-R):Bill Elliott; David Mosley, Deputy
Director of Programs with the DMV: The Virginia Highway Safety
Office; Dr. Elizabeth Baker, Region 3 Administrator, National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration; Muriel Elliott; Bonnie
Revell, Traffic Safety Manager, Naval Safety Center, Department
of the Navy
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Virginia Becomes
Third HERO State
Governor Tim Kaine Joins Elliotts
for Statewide
Kickoff
Richmond, Va. ---Virginia became the third state to officially
adopt the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers® in kickoff
ceremonies held today in Richmond. Governor Tim Kaine joined Bill
and Muriel Elliott at the news conference, held at Wayside Park
in Hanover County. The HERO Campaign promotes the use of sober
designated drivers to prevent drunken driving tragedies nationwide.
The Elliott's son, Navy Ensign John Elliott, was the inspiration
for the HERO Campaign. He was killed by a drunken driver
as he was traveling home from Annapolis, MD to southern New Jersey
for his mother's birthday in July, 2000. He had recently
graduated with merit from the United States Naval Academy, where
he was named the Outstanding HERO of his graduating class. Ensign
Elliott was preparing to enter Naval Flight Officer School in the
fall.
The HERO Campaign is partnering with the Virginia Highway Office
at the Department of Motor Vehicles, DRIVE SMART, and the Virginia
Hospitality and Travel Association. To launch the program, 15 highway
billboards in and around Richmond with the message, “Be a
HERO. Be a Designated Driver®,” have been donated by
Lamar Outdoor Advertising. For more information, log on to
www.drivesmartva.org
Business, including bars, taverns, restaurants, hotels and motels
and are being invited to join the campaign by displaying posters
and window decals, and serving free soft drinks to sober designated
drivers. Colleges and law enforcement agencies are also being asked
to participate and sponsor HERO Campaign educational and promotional
activities.
New Jersey and Delaware were the first HERO States. The HERO Campaign
is also active on a number of college campuses, along with the
Philadelphia Phillies and New York Giants. The Campaign
received the 2008 Public Service Award by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration. National legislation, modeled after
New Jersey’s John’s Law, passed in 2005, provides federal
highway safety grant incentives for states adopting John’s
Law, which requires police to impound the cars of those arrested
for drunk driving.
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