S3239

An Act designating a portion of U.S. Highway Route 40 in Upper Pittsgrove Township as the “John R. Elliott HERO Campaign Way.”

Whereas, In the early morning of July 22, 2000, Ensign John R. Elliott was tragically killed in a traffic accident on U.S. Highway Route 40 at the intersection of Slabtown Road in Upper Pittsgrove Township when his motor vehicle was struck by another driver; and

Whereas, Raised in Egg Harbor Township, Ensign Elliott attended Egg Harbor Township High School, where he was president of his graduating class and a National Merit Scholar; and

Whereas, Upon graduating from high school in 1996, Ensign Elliot enrolled in the United States Naval Academy, where he graduated in May 2000 with a Bachelors of Science in Systems Engineering and was named the Outstanding HERO, or Human Education Resource Officer, of his class for his service to his fellow midshipman; and

Whereas, The other driver involved in the accident had been arrested earlier in the evening on charges of driving under the influence but was released to a friend, who allowed the driver to continue to operate a motor vehicle while intoxicated; and

Whereas, Since their son’s death, William and Muriel Elliot have tirelessly advocated about the dangers of drunk driving; and

Whereas, In October 2000, the Elliott Family established the John R. Elliott Foundation, which provides college scholarships to students enrolled at six New Jersey high schools and leadership training to students at the United States Naval Academy, and the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers (HERO Campaign); and

Whereas, The HERO Campaign promotes the use of designated drivers by registering volunteers to drive home those who have been intoxicated and partners with law enforcement agencies, colleges, bars and taverns, restaurants, sports teams, and state divisions of highway traffic safety to promote public safety and prevent suspected drunk drivers from operating motor vehicles; and

Whereas, The work of the Elliott Family through the HERO Campaign has led to the creation of community chapters of the HERO Campaign at the United States Naval Academy and across the country, which commemorate the lives of those who have lost their lives to drunk driving with the Annual HERO Walk; and

Whereas, The Elliott Family also assisted the Division of State Police to advocate for the passage of P.L.2001, c.69, which, in part, authorizes law enforcement agencies to impound the motor vehicle of a person arrested for drunk driving for up 12 hours, and P.L.2003, c.164, which, in part, permits a municipality to enact an ordinance that prohibits a person arrested for drunk driving from being released from custody until the person is no longer a danger to themselves or others and the municipality may provide that a person is not a danger to when the person’s blood alcohol level is less than 0.05; and

Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper that the State of New Jersey to honor the life of Ensign John R. Elliott and the work of his parents, William and Muriel Elliott, who have tirelessly advocated about the dangers of drunk driving through the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers, by naming a portion of U.S. Highway Route 40 in Upper Pittsgrove Township as the “John R. Elliott HERO Campaign Way”; now, therefore,

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Commissioner of Transportation shall designate the portion of U.S. Highway Route 40, extending from milepost 15.4 to milepost 15.5, in Upper Pittsgrove Township as the “John R. Elliott HERO Campaign Way” and erect appropriate signs bearing this designation and dedication.

2. State or other public funds shall not be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act. The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive gifts, grants, or other financial assistance from private sources for the purpose of funding or reimbursing the Department of Transportation for the costs associated with producing, purchasing, and erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act and entering into agreements related thereto, with private sources, including but not limited to non-governmental non-profit, educational, or charitable entities or institutions. Work shall not proceed and funding shall not be accepted by the Department of Transportation until an agreement has been reached with a responsible party for paying the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining the signs.

3. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill designates the portion of U.S. Highway Route 40, extending from milepost 15.4 to milepost 15.5, in Upper Pittsgrove Township as the “John R. Elliott HERO Campaign Way” to honor the work of the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers and the memory of Ensign John R. Elliott, who was tragically killed on U.S. Highway Route 40 when his motor vehicle was struck by a drunk driver.

Consistent with Department of Transportation policy and other road designations, the bill provides that State or other public funds are not to be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation for the “John R. Elliott HERO Campaign Way.” The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive financial assistance from private sources.