|

‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ statewide campaign begins Wednesday

Police and sheriff’s officers across New Jersey will be cracking down on drivers who drive while intoxicated during the holiday season. The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign runs from Nov. 22 through New Year’s Day.

Local and state law enforcement officers will set up sobriety checkpoints and patrols will be looking for motorists who may be driving while impaired.

In Somerset County, community businesses also will promote the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over to encourage safe and sober driving and the importance of selecting a designated driver when going to holiday parties.

As part of the campaign, some restaurants and car dealerships will be handing out HERO Campaign brochures and magnets. Bill and Muriel Elliott started the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers in memory of their son, U.S. Navy Ensign John Elliott, who was killed in a collision with a drunk driver in July of 2000.  While at the U.S. Naval Academy, Ensign Elliott was selected as a Human Education Resource Officer (HERO) to counsel and mentor other members of his company and was named “the outstanding HERO” of his graduating class. He was killed two months after graduating from the academy.

“Impaired driving is completely preventable,” said Somerset County Sheriff Frank Provenzano. “All it takes is a little planning. We want the public to remember that it’s a choice. Drink responsibly or drive sober – these are good choices. We want to keep people from making a poor choice that harms others and themselves.”

For more information about the HERO Campaign, visit www.herocampaign.org.