HC Deb 11 January 1988 vol 125 cc143-4W
Mr. Ward

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what private sector initiatives he has supported to reduce drink-drive casualties.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

We support and welcome the growing number of private sector initiatives aimed at reducing the appalling toll of death and injury on our roads caused by drinking and driving.

The key initiative is the Brewers' Society's "Wheelwatch" promotion. This encourages publicans to take a more responsible attitude towards discouraging drinking and driving by encouraging drivers and riders to choose non or low alcoholic drinks, offering to order a taxi if alcohol has been drunk, and so on.

Among other imaginative and important initiatives of which we are aware are: Courage ran TV advertisements over the Christmas period against drinking and driving. Also offered customers free public transport home on new year's eve. Whitbread launched new low-alcohol beer in December. General Accident sponsored Gallup poll survey of drinking and driving.

Mr. David Mitchell

The relevant figures are shown in the table.

Everards brewery has launched its own version of "Wheelwatch". Youngs brewery offered free bus passes to customers between 21–31 December. Shell Oil UK — "travellers' check" shops on garage forecourts selling low or non alcoholic beers and wines. Ford Motor Co. Ltd. — "good driving" talks to HQ employees in liaison with Essex police. Planning advanced driving courses for company drivers. Sponsorship of public transport by Fosters lager on new year's eve. Distribution of cards, menus, posters or leaflets highlighting non-alcoholic drinks, by Trust House Forte; Dairy Crest; CPM/Marketing Week; Clausthaler; Off Licence News; Orangina.