The Office of Highway Safety is proud to bring the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers®
to Delaware as part of our continuing efforts to prevent impaired driving and alcohol-related crashes. The HERO Campaign was created by the family of Naval Ensign John Elliott who was killed in a head on crash in 2000 by an impaired driver. The Elliott family honors John's memory by promoting the use of designated drivers as a safe and responsible alternative to drinking and driving.
In August 2007, Delaware became the second official HERO state in the nation (the Elliott's home state of New Jersey was the first) when Lt. Governor Carney signed a proclamation on behalf of himself and Governor Ruth Ann Minner. (Click here to see pictures)
We welcome the important support of the Delaware's Hospitality community whose members will be marketing the campaign on the front line in the bars and restaurants. Dover Downs and the Dewey Beach Grill are the first two official HERO businesses in the First State. A list of all participating HERO businesses will be listed here soon!.
If you are a bar or restaurant and would like to sign-up to be a “HERO Friendly Establishment”, we will send you, free of charge, all the materials you need to set-up the campaign in your business. You can preview them on the left, and order them by downloading this form and faxing it back to us at (302) 739-5995. You will also receive recognition on this website and through a periodic publication of HERO Friendly Establishments.
If you are a college, university, or civic association that believes in the importance of designated drivers, please contact the OHS Community Traffic Safety Program Coordinator (CTSP) nearest you to learn how you can help spread the word and find out which of these materials are available to you.
In 2007, 45% of all car crash fatalities in Delaware were alcohol related. Join HERO now to help us raise awareness about the importance of planning for an evening out by using a designated driver. Our goal is to help people realize how easy it is to be responsible.
