By John Fuller and Karen Evans

Published at 19:29, Thursday, 11 December 2008

WEST Cumbrian pubs are doing their bit this Christmas to help stamp out drink driving.

The Bounty, on Finkle Street, Workington, will be showing an anti-drink drive DVD over the festive period in a bid to stop people from getting behind the wheel of their car after having a few pints.

It is part of a nationwide campaign - THINK! - which is trying to cut the amount of drink drivers on the roads.

Bounty boss John Reid said: “If we can help promote the message that you should not be driving a car after having a few pints then we will do that.

“People’s lives are much more important than having a couple of drinks with your friends.

“We are finding that more people are happy to come into the pub and order soft drinks, it is more socially accepted.”

Last year 83 people were arrested for drink driving offences and West Cumbria police will be out and about again this year.

Sergeant Richard Farnworth said: “Following last year's successful campaign we will also be out in force over the festive period to target those who may be increasingly likely to drink and drive over the Christmas and New Year.”

The campaign is primarily aimed at young drivers, aged 17 to 29 and as well as increasing patrols, police will also increase the number of breath tests taken.

These consequences of being caught drink driving can include a 12 month driving ban, criminal record, substantial fine, higher insurance premiums and potential loss of job.

Other pubs across the area will also be trying to stop people from drinking and driving.

Damien McAllister of Wetherspoons, Workington, said: “We will be checking up on groups of people to make sure that the designated driver doesn’t drink.

“It shouldn’t just be a seasonal thing. Drink driving is something that we try to discourage all year round.”

Joe Fagan, licensee of The Bush Inn, Cockermouth, said: “We have information cards on all the tables to highlight the dangers of alcohol misuse.”

Cockermouth’s Fletcher Christian Tavern also has flyers up to highlight the dangers of drink driving.

Manager John Reed said: “It’s important for us to stay on top of issues such as drink driving.

“We will also be clamping down on binge drinkers and those who are worse for wear will not be allowed into the pub.”

West Cumbrian police will also be sending text messages via Bluetooth to people in busy areas on a weekend.

The technology will allow them to send the anti-drink driving message to lots of people at once.

Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk