The HERO Campaign is proud to partner with high schools, colleges, and universities as we strive toward our goal to end drunk driving tragedies.

Programs designed to engage and educate students include:

HERO of the Year

For over a decade, the HERO Campaign and Stockton University have selected a HERO of the Year, honoring students who embody the HERO Campaign’s mission of being and using safe and responsible designated drivers. In 2023, junior nursing major Alexa Moore was honored with the selection.

Driving Simulators

Using an advanced computer simulator, the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers is educating high school students across New Jersey about the dangers of driving while drunk or distracted. The first of these units was introduced at Egg Harbor Township High School, and another is at Arthur L. Johnson High School in Clark, New Jersey.

With the help of a grant from the Honda USA Foundation, the “One Simple Decision” virtual-driving teaching device allows students to “drive” an on-screen car while their reactions are adjusted to imitate impaired driving. Videos of police and EMTs responding to accidents show the real-world repercussions of drunk driving and drugged driving, such as fines and license suspensions. Another section uses a texting-while-driving simulator to demonstrate the hazards associated with distracted driving.

Working with the Atlantic County Division of Highway Safety and the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization, the simulator is available to other high schools and groups across the region.

HERO Games

To engage students in a more fun way, the HERO Campaign and Stockton University have offered the HERO Games since 2010, featuring friendly competitions to raise funds and extend the HERO Campaign’s mission to educate students to be and use designated drivers.

On HERO Games day, individual students, sororities, and fraternities compete in a whirlwind of competitive fun, with classic games like “red light, green light,” 3-legged and wheelbarrow races, and a fierce tug of war. This event is created by students, for students, with the goal of getting more students to take the HERO Pledge to be and use designated drivers.

HERO Pledge Drive

At the heart of The HERO Campaign is a simple premise; Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver®. Designated drivers are the true HEROES of the evening, helping to keep us all safe. To protect yourself, your friends, and your loved ones, complete the Pledge form to take The HERO Pledge and obtain your digital HERO ID Card at https://www.herocampaign.org/pledge/.

Do you have questions on how to get started at your high school or college? Contact us at info@HEROcampaign.org!