Cape May, N.J. – In a ceremony held Saturday, July 6 prior to the city’s annual Independence Day Parade, the police department unveiled its new HERO Patrol Car to prevent drunk and impaired driving.

The Chevrolet Tahoe is wrapped with the message “Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver” and the blue and yellow emblem of the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign, which is partnering with police

to promote the use of safe and responsible designated drivers. Cape May’s cruiser joins HERO patrol cars in Avalon, Sea Isle City, North Wildwood and 22 other police departments throughout Southern and Central New Jersey.

The event will take place in front of the Grand Hotel on Beach Avenue and will be attended by HERO Campaign Chairman Bill Elliott and his wife Muriel, Police Chief Dekon Fashaw, Sr., Mayor Zachary Mullock and other city officials. The non-profit HERO Campaign is dedicated to the memory of Navy Ensign John Elliott of egg Harbor Township, who was killed in a collision with a drunken driver in July 2000, two months after graduating from the United States Naval Academy.

“We are proud to partner with the HERO Campaign in our mutual efforts to prevent drunk and impaired driving,” said Chief Fashaw. “Our HERO SUV will be a constant reminder to both residents and visitors to always have designated drivers whenever they are drinking alcoholic beverages.” He said the cruiser will be in service on normal traffic duty, and at schools and special events.

“Cape May is one of the nation’s most famous visitor destinations, and we are honored to have them host our newest HERO patrol car,” added Bill Elliott, Ensign Elliott’s father.

The HERO cruisers have been hailed as a game changer in the ongoing battle to prevent drunk driving, which last year claimed the lives of more than 13,000 Americans, and injured thousands more, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Elliotts established the HERO Campaign to create a national movement promoting designated driving. The campaign partners with schools, colleges, police, bar and tavern owners and NFL and the Philadelphia Phillies. Over 150,000 motorists of all ages have taken the HERO Pledge not to drink and drive and to be designated drivers.

The Elliotts also lobbied for new legislation, known as John’s Law, which requires police in New Jersey to impound the cars of anyone arrested for DUI to prevent them to returning to their car while still intoxicated. Over 30,000 cars of arrested drunk drivers are impounded each year under John’s Law, which also was adopted by several other states. A federal version provided incentives to states impounding the cars of drunk drivers as part of the 2005 Transportation Act. For more information go to the HERO website at www.herocampaign.org.