There has been a record response in Westmeath to this year’s Coca-Cola Designated Driver campaign, with 87 of the county’s licensed premises signing up to the initiative.
A total of 39 of Mullingar’s bars are taking part during the Christmas period, while 25 premises in Athlone also signed up. Licensed premises in Moate, Kinnegad, Delvin, Tyrrellspass, Kilbeggan, Ballinagore, Dysart, Castlepollard, Rathowen, Horseleap, and Milltownpass have also leant their support to the campaign.
The Designated Driver campaign runs throughout the month of December and is an effective initiative in the drive to decrease the number of deaths on Irish roads, while rewarding responsible customers for being the designated driver for the evening.
The campaign sees Coca-Cola Bottlers Ireland make a range of non-alcoholic beverages available to designated drivers free of charge. The campaign is open to all designated drivers who will be driving their friends and family home from a night out over the festive period.
In order to cater for varying consumer preferences, Coca-Cola is making an extensive range of non-alcoholic beverages available, including Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Sprite Zero, and Fanta, as well as Deep RiverRock and Fruice.
The campaign has the vital support of key organisations including Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Society (MEAS ) and An Garda Siochana.
As Ireland’s leading non-alcoholic beverage company, Coca-Cola Bottlers Ireland recognises that the company can play a role in the national drive to promote responsible driving, through a campaign that benefits both consumers and the licensed trade. Participating in the Designated Driver Christmas Campaign allows publicans to incentivise customers to continue to visit licensed premises and encourages drivers to take a responsible approach to the issue of drinking and driving - a win-win for all.
“The increase in participating premises is extremely encouraging and we are delighted with the take-up this year. We encourage all designated drivers to avail of the free soft drinks and be rewarded for making the responsible choice this Christmas,” said Erica Roseingrave of Coca-Cola Bottlers Ireland.
Designated Driver was launched for the first time in 2004 and since then it has gone from strength to strength and more innovations are planned for 2009.
The Designated Driver campaign is live in all participating outlets until December 31 2008. A full list of participating licensed premises is available on www.designateddriver.ie
