‘Rolling Billboard’ Encourages Use of Designated Drivers

Hammonton, NJ (April 19, 2024) – The John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers has partnered with the Hammonton Police Department to unveil a new HERO patrol vehicle to promote the use of safe and sober designated drivers in time for the busy summer tourism season. The vehicle wrap was sponsored by Kramer Beverage of Hammonton.

“This HERO vehicle patrolling Hammonton is a powerful symbol for the community, encouraging the use of designated drivers to ensure safe travels home for all,” said Bill Elliott, the father of the HERO Campaign’s namesake. “We are especially grateful to Mark Kramer and the Kramer Beverage family for supporting this initiative and caring about the safety and well-being of our communities!”

“Kramer Beverage proudly supports the Hero Campaign. As a founding member of the John R. Elliott Foundation Board, I am honored to be part of this important mission,” said Mark Kramer, President of Kramer Beverage.

The HERO Campaign began in Egg Harbor Township where the Elliott family lives, and John graduated from EHT High School as class president in 1996. The 22-year-old naval officer was killed by a drunk driver in July 2000, two months after graduating from the United States Naval Academy, where he was named the “Outstanding HERO” of his graduating class. He was driving home from Annapolis, MD for his mother’s birthday celebration at the time of his death. The Elliotts and friends established the HERO Campaign to prevent drunk driving by promoting the use of safe and responsible designated drivers.

The Hammonton HERO patrol vehicle is a Ford Explorer from the Hammonton police fleet that has been wrapped with the HERO Campaign’s bright blue and yellow logo and life-saving slogan, “Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver.” The HERO-wrapped patrol vehicle is now a ‘rolling billboard’ for the HERO Campaign as officers drive it on traffic duty, to special events, and to area schools.

Kevin Friel, the Chief of Hammonton’s Police Department, expressed pride in the department’s collaboration with the HERO Campaign. “We are always enthusiastic about aligning with the HERO Campaign and other towns across the state to promote the message of using a designated driver to the multitude of drivers who travel through Hammonton. If John Elliott’s tragedy teaches us anything, it’s that an act as simple as having a sober driver is a critical step in ensuring everyone gets home safely.”

The HERO Campaign’s vehicle wrap program is expanding through a grant from the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety (NJDHTS). Hammonton joins what is now a fleet of 24 patrol/emergency vehicles throughout New Jersey, all of which have adopted the HERO Campaign with DUI prevention vehicles. Atlantic City, Avalon, Egg Harbor Township, Somers Point, Evesham Township, Galloway, Linwood, Little Egg Harbor Township, Lower Township, Margate, Middle Township, North Wildwood, Ocean City, Longport, Sea Girt, Sea Isle City, Pleasantville, Ventnor, Piscataway, Vineland, and Stockton University also have HERO cruisers currently in service.

About the HERO Campaign

The HERO Campaign is now saving lives throughout New Jersey and several neighboring states, including Pennsylvania and Delaware, through its partnerships with law enforcement; schools and colleges; federal and state highway safety organizations; the licensed beverage industry; and professional sports teams. Since its inception in 2000, the HERO Campaign has grown into a major movement to prevent impaired driving that has received national recognition and awards. It has also helped to reduce alcohol-related fatalities and incidents, including a 20-percent reduction in DUI fatalities in New Jersey and other states over the past decade. For more information visit HEROcampaign.org or call 609-626-3880.

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