Shropshire Star

Shropshire pubs and bars offer designated drivers free soft drinks

Pubs across Shropshire are helping tackle drink-driving in the county this Christmas by rewarding designated drivers with free soft drinks.

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Eight bars across the county, including The Wrekin Giant in Telford, the Two Henrys in Battlefield, The Church Wicketts in Dawley and The Raven in Wellington will be running the 'buy one, get one free' offer throughout the remainder of December.

The scheme is being run by Coca-Cola, in partnership with the Department for Transport's Think! road safety campaign.

Drivers will be able to get a free drink from either the Coca-Cola or Schweppes range, every time one of their passengers buys an alcoholic drink.

Now in its seventh year, 2014's Coca-Cola's Designated Driver campaign is bigger than ever with the offer available in 12,500 pubs and bars nationwide. This year's offer is available across Coca-Cola, Diet Coke and Coke Zero and for the first time across the Schweppes range. Drivers are being encouraged to look out for posters at participating pubs in the local area and show their car keys to a serving staff member to claim their 'buy one get one free' offer.

To mark the campaign, a survey was carried out regarding attitudes towards drinking and driving across the country.

It found that the 18-34 age group was the most willing to lay off alcohol during the party season, with 63 per cent happy to take on the role of designated driver at least once during the festive period.

In total, 87 per cent who volunteered for the role believed they would still enjoy themselves, despite not being able to drink alcohol.

Many also enjoy the financial benefits that come with being the designated driver, with 73 per cent expecting to save about £50 on average over the course of two nights out during December.

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association said: "I'm delighted that Coca-Cola is giving more support than ever to this campaign.

"Having a designated driver doesn't dampen the party spirit, and means that everyone can have a safe journey home."

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "Most people know drinking and driving is wrong and don't do it, but there are still those that take the risk.

"Anyone tempted to have a tipple at Christmas time before getting behind the wheel should know the potential consequences.

"As well as risking an accident, you risk losing your licence. If you rely on a car for work, this could mean losing your job and wreck your chance of future employment."

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