GARDAÍ ARE USING the season of giving to encourage people to volunteer as a designated driver over the Christmas period.
Over the festive period, the instances in which people are found to be over the drink driving limit increase.
Each year gardaí launch a Christmas campaign to remind people to stay safe on the roads – this year’s there’s a particular focus on getting pedestrians home safely.
Gardaí try to encourage drivers, particularly in rural, isolated areas, to offer to be the designated driver for neighbours, family members, and colleagues over the Christmas holiday period.
In their attempt to revive those calls for designated drivers, they’ve put together this little card that can be presented as a gift.
“Here’s something that will give you a little lift this Christmas,” the message on the card reads.
In the first 10 days of the Gardaí’s Christmas and New Year Road Safety Campaign there were 260 arrests on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Alcohol was a factor in two in five fatal crashes in November and December over the last eight years, with the highest numbers in Dublin, Cork and Galway.
Almost half of those killed in crashes during this period are drivers.
So if you want to contribute to reducing that number, gardaí are advising “gifting a lift” this Christmas.
Read: Drink-drivers caught five times over the limit as Christmas campaign kicks in
Read: Gardaí tell people to ‘gift a lift’ this Christmas as drink driving arrests increase
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