Federal bill backs tougher drunken-driving laws

PHILADELPHIA – John’s Law has become the law of the land.

The New Jersey drunken-driving legislation inspired by the death of Navy Ensign John Elliott was included in the federal transportation bill passed by Congress.

The legislation provides federal grants to encourage other states to enact John’s Law, which gives police the authority to impound a drunken driver’s car.

“It’s exciting,” said Elliott’s father, Bill. “It’s one of those bittersweet occasions that is a victory.”

Elliott became a crusader against drunken driving after his son died in 2000, lobbying to pass two landmark bills in New Jersey named for his son. The first was the car impoundment law; the second allowed police to hold drunken drivers until they sobered up.

John Elliott, a recent Naval Academy graduate, was killed in Salem County by a drunken driver who had been arrested earlier in the evening, then released.

The driver, Michael Pangle, also was killed. Three hours after his arrest, he was released to the custody of a friend while still intoxicated. The friend took Pangle back to his car.

Under the new federal law, states could enact John’s Law to help them meet criteria necessary to win federal drunken-driving prevention and other law enforcement grants.