News : Drivers warned that a festive drink could see them lose their car for at least a year

Drivers in the North West are being warned that getting behind the wheel after drinking this Christmas could leave them without their car for at least 12 months as a £1.2 million THINK! campaign is launched today by Road Safety Minister Paul Clark.

THINK!'s new national Driver Friendly campaign - which also launches today - will see designated drivers across the region receiving offers on soft drinks in 65 venues across the region.

For example, at Lava & Ignite nightclub in Preston, designated drivers are treated like VIPs, with a free Designated Driver Pack that rewards those taking responsibility for getting their buddies home safely by jumping them to the front of the queue at the door and giving them free entry, free soft drinks and free use of the cloakroom.

The THINK! campaign - with new radio, national press, online and in-pub advertising as well as TV adverts - reminds drivers, and young men in particular: If you get caught drink driving you risk losing your car for at least 12 months.

Road Safety Minister Paul Clark said:

"Drink driving ruins lives. Last year 430 people didn't make it home to their families because of drink drivers.

"My message to drivers in the North West is clear, if you're drinking this Christmas then leave the car at home. That is why I am delighted that drinks companies and pub chains have joined our new Driver Friendly initiative to reward designated drivers for steering clear of alcohol.

"Anyone convicted of drink driving will lose their licence for a minimum of 12 months – they’ll also get a criminal record and a large fine. Don't ruin Christmas in a moment of selfishness."

Phil Woolas, Minister for the North West said: "Drinking and driving can never be acceptable. Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive so it is far safer to not take the risk. Iurge all pubs and clubs in the region to follow Lava and Ignite's lead and encourage people to act responsibly."

Linda Sanderson, Communications Manager for Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety said: “Making theimportant role of designated driver a whole lot more attractive is a great way forward as proven byour highly successful free soft drink scheme in the summer.

“Thosewho stay off the alcohol to get friends and family home safely for Christmas are VIPs and deserve all these perks.The cost to the companies, clubs and pubs taking part will be more than repaid it if saves just one lifethis Christmas. ”

Driver Friendly is supported by soft drinks manufacturers and pub chains across the region. Coca-Cola will be supporting the campaign with soft drinks promotions almost 60 pubs and bars across the North West; meanwhile Greene King has seven “Hungry Horse” outlets across Cheshire, Merseyside and Manchester with a similar soft drinks offer. It is hoped that improving the pub-going experience for designated drivers will mean that fewer people will be tempted to drink and drive.

Notes to Editors

1. Copies of the new radio, posters, national press and TV adverts are available on request from the DfT press office.

2. The THINK! Christmas drink drive campaign will again be supported by a range of organisations associated with the drinking environment providing in-kind sponsorship. They will help to deliver the driver friendly ‘rewards’ to an audience of potential drink drivers at crucial decision making moments.

3. Driving a vehicle whilst over the legal limit or unfit through drink, or failing to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine, could result in a driving ban of at least 12 months, six months' imprisonment, plus a fine of up to £5,000.

4. Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison, a minimum 2 year driving ban, and a requirement to pass an extended driving test before the offender is able to drive legally again.

5. The legal limit in the UK is 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. There is no failsafe guide as to how much you can drink and still drive safely. It depends on various factors, including age, gender, weight, metabolism, and the amount and type of drink involved.

6. The number of people killed in drink drive accidents each year has been cut by almost three quarters since 1979 thanks to more than thirty years of Government education campaigns and measures to improve enforcement. In 2008 430 people were killed.

7. Statistics on accidents involving drinking and driving in Great Britain in 2007, can be found at http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/accidents/casualtiesgbar/roadcasualtiesgreatbritain20071 Table A: Drink drive accidents and casualties: GB 1979-2007 is available on the NDS website; http://nds.coi.gov.uk

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