World Cup – Drink Driving – It’s Not Worth It

As world cup fever starts to hit, Safer Roads Humber – the region’s road safety partnership – is launching a major campaign to cut drink driving.

Safer Roads Humber has joined a national campaign and is using posters, leaflets, beer mats, radio adverts and a 24-foot-long advertising van to get the message of the dangers of drink driving across to motorists.

Humberside Police, one of the partners, is also carrying out extra enforcement activities in a bid to cut drink driving in the area.

A football-themed campaign has been produced which urges drivers not to score an “own goal” by being caught over the drink drive limit on the way back from watching the match in the pub or at friends. Posters and beer mats have been distributed to pubs across the region and this theme is echoed in the radio advert.  The advertising van will be touring around the region over the first two weekends of the world cup competition.

In addition Safer Roads Humber has also produced leaflets and a second radio advert to raise awareness of how long alcohol can stay within the body to ensure that motorists are safe to drive the morning after watching the match.

Ruth Gore, spokesperson for Safer Roads Humber, said: “Drink driving is completely unacceptable and often drivers are caught out by not thinking through their plans fully.

“If caught drink driving on the way home after watching the match at the pub or with friends, or the morning after, it’s not just your licence that you risk – it could be your whole future.

“Losing your licence can result in you being fired from work and could reduce your future job prospects, which could in turn result in money problems. Being without your car could result in you being stuck at home so that even simple trips like shopping or transporting the kids around become nightmares. ”

The retail sector is already predicting a massive increase in the sale of alcohol during the World Cup which could result in motorists being tempted to drink and drive.

Safer Roads Humber advice is to enjoy the match but plan how you are getting home before the kick off.  Catching a bus or booking a taxi is the safest option.

The overriding message is not to drink and drive – it’s just not worth it.