Suffolk: Scheme to reward designated drivers

PUBS are being encouraged to sign up to a designated driver scheme this Christmas as part of a drink-drive campaign.

Suffolk and Norfolk police teamed up last week to launch a campaign warning motorists that officers will be stepping up their efforts to catch anyone driving under the influence of drink or drugs this festive season.

The Suffolk Roadsafe group, which includes county council road safety, the fire service and police, have been asking licensees to consider how they would feel if one of their customers was involved in an accident and encouraging them to support the campaign by rewarding designated drivers.

The Dove in Bury St Edmunds is offering discounted soft drinks to their customers in their own effort to prevent people from drink-driving, while Greene King offers a soft drink promotion to motorists.

Iain Watson, Senior Road Safety Officer, said: “People who offer to drive their friends for a night out really deserve to be rewarded, and pubs that offer free or lower priced soft drinks to designated drivers are really helping to promote safer driving behaviour.”

In 2011/2012, there were a total of 76 injury collisions in Suffolk involving alcohol including two deaths.

Sergeant Paul Ward, of the Suffolk police casualty reduction team, added: “Driving whilst under the influence of drink will seriously impair your ability to drive and puts you and others at risk.

“This scheme is a positive step towards offering drivers an alternative and encouraging them to take their turn to be the designated driver.”

Visit www.suffolkroadsafe.net/desidriver for a list of participating pubs.