The Department of Transport’s Road Safety Unit has launched a new campaign for the summer focused on asking people to ‘Pop in and drive home’.
This strapline has been used to encourage people to drink soft drinks when out socialising this summer so that they can drive home without worrying about being over the drink drive limit.
Each year, an anti-drink drive campaign is run over the Christmas period but summer can also provide temptation for drink drivers with parties and barbeques taking place during the light evenings.
Figures released last month following the TT period showed a disappointing number of arrests amongst locals for drink-driving.
Road Safety Manager Gordon Edwards said "The figures released for the TT period show that the drink-drive message doesn’t always hit home with the locals.
"We are asking that when you are driving you stick to soft drinks or arrange for a taxi or public transport to get home or stay at friends house if you are drinking."
The campaign was launched this week at the Zest juice bar on North Quay Douglas where Mr David Quirk, MHK, Member for Highways, Mike Langdon, Chief Constable, Dave Dobbie from the Road Policing Unit and Gordon Edwards and Viv Moore from the Road Safety Unit all enjoyed a healthy soft drink next to a giant empty pint glass.
Mr Quirk said, "It is important for people to remember that when they are attending parties and barbeques at friends houses it is all too easy to lose track of how much you have had to drink.
"The only way to make sure that you don’t drink and drive is to drink soft drinks or arrange other transportation. It only takes a moment for a serious accident to unfold and a fun summer evening can turn into a tragedy.
"This campaign is just the tonic to help bring home the message to motorists."
This campaign heralds the last chance to see the ‘Big Glass’ touring the Island; the Road Safety Unit will be at the following locations:
B&Q car park – Wednesday 5th August
Tesco car park – Thursday 6th August
Ramsey Total garage – Friday 7th August
