Bill Text: NJ SJR53 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates June of each year as "Designated Driver Awareness Month."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-06-13 - Reported from Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading [SJR53 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-SJR53-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JEFF VAN DREW
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Designates June of each year as "Designated Driver Awareness Month."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating June of each year as "Designated Driver Awareness Month."
Whereas, In 2009, approximately 11,000 people died in drunk-driving accidents nationwide - one every 50 minutes; and
Whereas, In 2009, 149 people were killed in alcohol-related accidents in the State of New Jersey; and
Whereas, Every minute someone is injured in an alcohol-related accident and approximately one in three people will be involved in an alcohol-related crash in their lifetime; and
Whereas, The average alcohol-related fatality in the United States costs $1.1 million in monetary costs and $2.4 million in quality of life losses; and
Whereas, Alcohol-related crashes account for an estimated 18% of the $103 billion in auto insurance payments Americans make each year; and
Whereas, Choosing a designated driver is simple, inexpensive, and shows how only modest behavioral changes made by individuals can have a significant impact on the number of drunk driving fatalities; and
Whereas, In 2000, United States Navy Ensign John Elliott of Egg Harbor Township was killed in a tragic car accident when his vehicle was struck by a driver who only hours earlier had been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated; and
Whereas, New Jersey was the first state in the country to launch the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers, which was founded by Ensign Elliott's parents and encourages all State residents to use a designated driver wherever they travel; and
Whereas, New Jersey recognizes the need to raise awareness about the consequences of, and solutions to, drunk driving, to prevent drinking and driving, and to strictly enforce drunk driving laws; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. In memory of those individuals who were killed by drunk drivers, and to promote public awareness of the benefits of designated driving, the month of June of each year is designated as "Designated Driver Awareness Month."
2. The Governor is requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This resolution designates June of each year as "Designated Driver Awareness Month" to raise awareness regarding the dangers of drunk driving and the benefits of having a designated driver. The Governor is requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon the public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.
In 2009, approximately 11,000 people died in drunk-driving accidents nationwide - one every 50 minutes. In 2009, 149 people were killed in alcohol-related accidents in New Jersey. Everyone minute someone is injured in an alcohol-related accident and approximately one in three people will be involved in alcohol-related accidents in their lifetime. Choosing a designated driver is simple, inexpensive, and shows how only modest behavioral changes made by individuals can have a significant impact on the number of drunk driving fatalities. In 2001, United States Navy Ensign John Elliott of Egg Harbor Township was killed in a tragic car accident when his vehicle was struck by a driver who only hours earlier had been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated. New Jersey was the first state in the country to launch the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers, which was founded by Ensign Elliott's parents and encourages all State residents to participate in designated driver programs wherever they travel. New Jersey recognizes the need to raise awareness about the consequences of, and solutions to, drunk driving, to prevent drinking and driving, and to strictly enforce drunk driving laws.
