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THINK! drink drive campaign stepped up for World Cup

Football fans are being urged by transport secretary Douglas Alexander to enjoy the matches but to organise a cab home, use public transport or have a designated driver who stays off the drink.

Legendary 'safe hands' ex England goalkeeper David Seaman has teamed up with the THINK! campaign to encourage fans to have their own game plan to get home safely.

Douglas Alexander said: "The World Cup is a great time to go out with friends and watch the game together. The important thing is for fans to unite against the very small minority who think it is ok to drive home after a drink.

"Supporters need to look out for one another. Just as for the top sides they are watching, good preparation = good results. Plan your journey home via a designated driver, a cab or public transport. And never let your friend get behind the wheel after having a drink.

"The police know when the games are on and will be alert to the risk. With disqualification, £5,000 fines and six months in prison it is a risk just not worth taking."

In addition to a stepping up of police drink-drive enforcement during the tournament, David Seaman will front a Safe Hands, Safe Wheels campaign in partnership with THINK! and the Daily Star. The campaign is targeted at young men (16-24) who are three times more likely than their female counterparts to be involved in a drink related crash.

David Seaman said: "Being an international footballer is about team work and looking after your mates.

"When you and your mates go to watch a big match at the pub you need to have a plan to get home safely - and that means being a team player and never drinking and driving."

A new radio campaign will complement television advertising by telling drivers they aren't the only ones making plans for the big games - the message to anyone planning to get behind the wheel after watching the game in the pub is: the police know when and where drivers are most likely to drink.

To reinforce the message, the campaign will be supported by a wide range of organisations involving over 11,000 pubs, bars and transport providers. They will help to deliver drink drive messages to an audience of potential drink drivers at crucial decision making moments. For further information log onto www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk   

The partners involved in supporting the THINK! summer drink drive campaign include: Walkabout, Bar Risa, Jongleurs, Martini, ComCab, Pathfinder Pubs, Hardys & Hansons, Enterprise Inns, The Union Pub Company, Shepherd Neame, Scoot, Scooterman, Autotrader, The Morning Advertisier, The Portman Group, and the British Beer and Pub Association.

For more information on the THINK! World Cup drink drive campaign contact Ben Wills, DfT on 020 7944 6898