When:
Friday, August 25, 2006 at 11:00 a.m.

What:
A press conference will be held in Salem County to stress the vital importance of the ongoing ‘You Drink and Drive. You Lose.’ impaired driving crackdown. The mobilization is about to enter its second full week, with law enforcement focused on arresting drunk drivers. Three hundred - eleven police agencies statewide are participating in the campaign, 62 of which have received Division grants.

This event will also see the re-dedication of the Navy Ensign John R. Elliott Memorial, which was previously damaged. Ensign Elliott lost his life to a drunk driver in July of 2000 at that very spot. His death led to the Hero Campaign for Designated Drivers, and to John’s Law which requires police to impound a drunk driver’s vehicle for up to twelve hours. It also issues responsibility warnings to those taking custody of DWI offenders.

Why:
In 2005, there were 254 alcohol-related fatalities in New Jersey, representing 34 percent of all fatalities for the year (748), according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The percentage of such fatalities is up 3 percent from 2004's 31 percent, a trend that major campaigns such as the 2006 ‘You Drink and Drive. You Lose’ seeks to reverse. A total of 1,583 DWI arrests were made during the 2005 mobilization, and the overall number of summonses issued for all other violations totaled 50,665.

Where:
The Ensign John R. Elliott Memorial site on Route 40 in Upper Pittsgrove Township in Salem County, 5 miles east of Woodstown, New Jersey.

Who:

• Roberto Rodriguez - Director, NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety
• William Elliott - Father of Ensign Elliott and founder of the
  Hero Campaign forDesignated Drivers
• Lt. Col. Juan Mattos, Jr. - New Jersey State Police
• Chief Michael Hayden - NJSACOP 2ND VP
• Chief William J. Cicchetti - President, NJ Police Traffic Officers Association
• John T. Lenahan - Salem County Prosecutor
• William Brennan - 1st Assistant Salem County Prosecutor
• Pat Russo - MADD Chapter Coordinator for Salem/Cumberland Counties
• Bill Margaretta - NJ State Safety Council
• Teresa Thomas - South Jersey Traffic Safety Alliance

Directions to Navy Ensign John R. Elliott’s Memorial Site

• From the North Using NJ Turnpike:
  1. Take Turnpike South
  2. Take Exit 2 for Swedesboro
  3. Make a right off the exit ramp onto Rt. 322 East
  4. Proceed to the traffic light at junction of Routs 322 & 45
  5. Turn right onto Rt. 45 South
  6. Follow Rt. 45 South for 1-to-2 miles and follow directions for Route 77 South
  7. Continue on Route 77 South to the Pole Tavern Circle
  8. From the circle, take Rt. 40 West ½ mile to the John Elliott Memorial

• From the North Using I-295:
  1. Take I-295 South to Route 42 South
  2. Follow Rt. 42 for approximately 2 miles to Route 55
  3. Take Rt. 55 South to Exit 48 (Glassboro/Ferrel Exit)
  4. Turn right off exit ramp onto County Route 641 South
  5. Follow 641 South to the end (ends at a “T”)
  6. Make a left onto Route 77 South to the Pole Tavern Circle
  7. From the circle, take Rt. 40 West ½ mile to the John Elliott Memorial

• From the Delaware Memorial Bridge in New Jersey:
  1. Take I-95 North for approximately 1 ½ miles
  2. Take the last exit (Route 40) before the NJ Turnpike [you will be able to see the toll booths]
  3. Proceed straight through the traffic light at the end of the exit ramp onto Route 40
  4. Follow Route 40 East to the Pole Tavern Circle (Junction of Rt. 77)
  5. From the circle, take Rt. 40 West ½ mile to the John Elliott Memorial

  Top

List of 'You Drink and Drive. You Lose.' Grantees
2006 Summer Crackdown

• Bergen:
  • Carlstadt PD
  • E. Rutherford PD
  • N. Arlington PD
  • Ridgefield Park PD
  • Ridgewood PD

• Burlington:
  • Bordentown Twp PD
  • Burlington City PD
  • Mt. Holly PD
  • Mt. Laurel PD
  • Riverside PD
  • Westampton PD

• Camden:
  • Clementon PD
  • Dela. River Port Authority
  • Gloucester City PD
  • Merchantville PD
  • Mt. Ephriam PD
  • Pennsauken PD
  • Somerdale PD
  • Stratford PD

• Cape May:
  • Lower Twp PD
  • Middle Twp PD
  • N. Wildwood PD

• Cumberland:
  • Bridgeton PD
  • Millville PD
  • Vineland City PD

• Essex:
  • Bloomfield PD
  • Caldwell PD

• Hunterdon:
  • Clinton Twp PD

• Mercer:
  • Hamilton PD
  • Trenton PD

• Middlesex:
  • Metuchen PD
  • Milltown PD
  • Rumson PD
  • Monmouth:
  • Aberdeen PD
  • Allenhurst PD
  • Brielle PD
  • Oceanport PD

• Morris:
  • Boonton Twp PD
  • Hanover PD
  • Long Hill PD
  • Netcong PD
  • Pequannock PD
  • Riverdale PD
  • Washington Twp PD

• Ocean:
  • Harvey Cedars PD
  • O.C. Prosecutor
  • Ocean Gate PD

• Passaic:
  • Bloomingdale PD
  • N. Haledon PD
  • Pompton Lakes PD
  • W. Paterson PD

• Somerset:
  • Franklin Twp PD
  • Hillsborough PD
  • Montgomery PD

• Sussex:
  • Franklin Boro PD
  • Hardyston PD
  • Hopatcong PD

• Union:
  • Berkeley Hts PD
  • Garwood PD
  • Roselle PD
  • Union Twp PD