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In support of the Department of Transport and Isle of Man Constabulary’s annual anti-drink drive campaign, Heron and Brearley brewery is helping to reduce the number of drink drivers on Manx roads by running a designated driver initiative.

The Designated Driver – or ‘Des’ – initiative has been highly successful in the UK in previous years and the Road Safety Unit, the Police and Heron and Brearley were keen to launch a similar campaign on the Island. All Heron and Brearley public houses will be offering a free Coca-Cola Zero for the designated driver when a round of three other drinks is ordered over the Christmas and New Year period.

Richard Power of the Roads Policing Unit said: ‘It is important that people are encouraged to make suitable arrangements this Christmas to ensure that they arrive home safely at the end of the night. Appointing a designated driver will mean that a group of people are able to be driven home by someone who is not under the influence of alcohol. I would like to thank Heron and Brearley for their assistance with this campaign and I hope that their offer of free soft drinks will help to persuade more people to appoint themselves as “Des” this festive season.’

The Heron and Brearley offer will run throughout the festive season

Tim Crookall MHK, Department Member with responsibility for Highways, said: ‘Don’t be sorry in the New Year for your foolish actions over the Christmas period. Make sure you appoint a designated driver in your group to ensure that you and your friends enjoy the night out and arrive home safely at the end of it. Drinking and driving really isn’t worth the risk – you could end up with a hefty fine, a prison sentence or you may have to live with the fact that you have caused an accident through your careless actions.’

Mr Crookall added: ‘There will, of course, be occasions when no one is available to be a designated driver for a night out. In these instances it is important that you use a bus or taxi to get home. Do not risk your life, or the lives of others, by driving while under the influence of alcohol.’