Designated drivers get free non-alcoholic drinks

Liquor licensees and duty managers are being targeted to take more responsibility for getting young people home safely from bars, nightclubs and parties in new drink-drive campaign being launched on May 4.

North Shore City Council's environmental programmes manager, Rosemary Hagg, says the campaign aims to get licensees and duty managers to support travel-safe ideas as part of being a responsible host.

"During the campaign, participating bars will provide free, non-alcoholic drinks for designated drivers while revellers will be encouraged to think before they drink, appoint a designated driver and arrange safe alternatives to get home."

The campaign is the first combined approach in the North Harbour area to deal with drunk driving. North Shore City Council, Rodney District Council, Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), Students Against Driving Drunk (SADD), Auckland Regional Public Health, New Zealand Police and Alcohol Healthwatch support it.

North Shore City's Deputy Mayor, Dianne Hale, says the co-ordinated approach aims to save lives on our roads.

"The host responsibility seminar will also include guest speakers from the hospitality and enforcement sectors and insights into host responsibility best practice," Councillor Hale says.

Licensee and duty managers will have the option to participate in the campaign by signing up on the night or contacting a North Shore City liquor licence inspector by calling 486 8600.

"This could be the first in a national campaign promoting host responsibility in support of travel-safe ideas," Dianne Hale says. >

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