Fans urged not to score drink drive own goal

At least two authorities in different parts of the UK are running campaigns while the World Cup is in progress to remind football fans of the dangers of drink driving.

In Suffolk, fans are being urged not to score an ‘own goal’. Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Constabulary are targeting five hundred pubs with a poster warning of the dangers of driving later in the day after having had a drink while watching early games. Posters are also being distributed to large companies and libraries.

"I am sure that by now drivers are aware that drinking and driving do not mix but our fear is that people watching matches may not realise that they could still be over the limit for some considerable time after the final whistle," said Suffolk County Council’s Peter Monk. "Working out how long you should wait before you can safely get behind the wheel after drinking is not an exact science."

Staffordshire County Council’s TravelWise Road Safety Unit is raising awareness of the dangers by distributing a fixture card carrying the message ‘Don’t be a loser, be a winner’. The card is available through the county’s libraries, leisure centres and through pubs belonging to the Wolverhampton and Dudley Brewery.

‘Our advice is simple - if you’re having a drink while watching the match don’t drive afterwards, make alternative arrangements," said Malcolm Jones, TravelWise road safety co-ordinator.

For further information about the Suffolk campaign please contact Daryl Fraser, senior RSO on 01502 405330 or by email on Daryl.Fraser@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk.

For further information about the Staffordshire campaign please contact Nick Lloyd, Staffordshire’s TravelWise RSO on 01785 276610.