North Shore City bars embrace 'Start Here' campaign

December 21, 2005

Several bars and nightclubs in North Shore City are providing free non-alcoholic drinks for designated drivers over the Christmas and New Year period, as part of the Start Here campaign.

North Shore City transport development manager, Kit O'Halloran, says Start Here is an effort to save lives on roads by providing bars and clubs with travel-safe ideas and promotions.

The North Shore bars involved are: Stadium Bar and Brasserie, Albany; Poenamo, Northcote; Glenfield Tavern; Northcote Tavern; North Shore Cosmopolitan Club, Takapuna; R'Toto, Takapuna; Sin Bin, Takapuna; Blankenberge Belgian Beer Cafe, Takapuna; Albany Inn.

The bars involved have posters, coasters and beer mats with the Start Here message. Designated drivers receive a stamp on their hand entitling them to receive free non-alcoholic drinks for the night.

Mr O'Halloran urges party-goers to organise a designated driver, and eat plenty of food when drinking: "We're encouraging everyone to think before they drink, appoint a designated driver and arrange safe alternatives to get home."

A driver over the legal limit (80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood) is three times more likely to be involved in a crash than a sober driver.

The Start Here campaign is being run by the North Shore Liquor Liaison Group, which involves both North Shore City Council (road safety team and liquor licensing) and the Police.

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