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Transport Minister Supports MEAS Designated Driver Campaign For Christmas
6 December 2005
The Government was today urged to speedily resolve whatever issues are holding up the introduction of random breath-testing by the Chief Executive of MEAS (Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Society), Ms. Fionnuala Sheehan, when she launched the organisation’s Christmas Designated Driver Campaign.
The MEAS Designated Driver Campaign is supported by the European Commission, the Garda Siochana, the National Safety Council, the AA, the publican organisations (LVA and VFI), the Irish Hotels Federation, the Restaurant Association of Ireland, the off-license organisation (NOffLA), the Beverage Council of Ireland as well as the wider drinks industry. Substantial support for the Campaign is being provided by Coca-Cola Bottlers Ireland*.
Today, the Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, also expressed his support for the MEAS Campaign.
Using the slogan “Drive Straight and Designate”, the MEAS campaign wants to get people who are socialising during the Christmas period to designate a member of their group who refrains from drinking alcohol so they can drive everyone home safely.
Ms. Sheehan said: “Bearing in mind that alcohol is estimated to be the primary cause of one third of all fatal road accidents, we must as a society ensure that people who drink, don’t drive. Random breath testing by Gardai would greatly assist this move. I know that the Taoiseach has recently expressed his frustration that this measure is being held up by possible technical legal issues. And I share his desire to see these resolved as speedily as possible'.
“The introduction of random breath testing in New Zealand has resulted in a reduction of over half in the number of road accident fatalities”, she added.
Minister Cullen reiterated his key message that “if you drink, do not drive. Drink driving is unacceptable and it kills people. I would encourage people who want to drink as part of the Christmas festivities to designate one of their party as the non-drinking driver for the evening”.
This is the third year in succession that MEAS has organised a Christmas “Designated Driver Campaign”. It will be supported by a national radio advertising campaign. “Our message to Christmas revellers is simple. Before heading out, whether it is to the pub, or to a friend’s house, everyone should plan how to get home safely. A simple, practical way is to designate one person as the non-drinking driver. And the job of that Designated Driver is to bring friends or colleagues home safely”, Ms. Sheehan added.
She said that “drink driving is an issue for people of all ages in this country, and while many young people make alternative transport arrangements after a night out, Garda research shows that a disproportionate number of young male drivers are killed on Irish roads, particularly between 10.00pm and 4.00am”.
*Coca-Cola Bottlers Designated Driver Promotion enables participating licensees to offer up to 3 soft drinks to the Designated Driver of a group of 2 or more people. The Designated Driver abstains from alcohol for the evening and takes responsibility for transporting the group home safely.
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