MEAS, the alcohol social responsibility organisation behind drinkaware.ie, today reminded New Year party goers to plan ahead to ensure they get home safely.  

'We would encourage people going out on New Year's Eve to consider public transport and taxi options before heading out. People can use the drinkaware.ie website to check their local public transport night time services over the New Year period. There is also a link to a list of licensed premises offering free soft drinks to designated drivers,' advised MEAS Chief Executive, Fionnuala Sheehan.

The current drinkaware.ie advertising highlights the unacceptable impact of drunken behaviour on a range of innocent parties including A&E nurses, neighbours of a noisy house party, people walking alone, shop workers and taxi drivers.

'It is important that party goers take personal responsibility for their drinking and acknowledge the effect their celebrations can have on others such as neighbours or those working,' added Ms. Sheehan.

Over the Christmas and New Year period, taxi's across Dublin, Limerick and Cork will be displaying the message ' You get wasted and my taxi gets wrecked…I've had enough'. Other posters depict an Emergency Department nurse stating, 'In A&E 28% of people I treat have alcohol-related injuries…I've had enough’.

The Irish Taxi Drivers Federation are supporting the drinkaware.ie campaign and the President, John Ussher, highlighted the reality for many Irish taxi drivers, 'There are over 20,000 taxis on the streets of Ireland and most taxi drivers have had to scrub vomit off their back seats, all because people don't know when they've had enough to drink.'

To get the know-how to know when and for top tips on getting home safely this New Year's Eve, log on to drinkaware.ie.