Road Safety Council: Designate Your Driver 

The Bermuda Road Safety Council’s [RSC] slogan for December is ‘Designated Driver/Designate your Driver’.

A Government spokesperson said, “With only a few weeks to go until Christmas, holiday parties will be taking place all over the island, which is why the Bermuda Road Safety Council’s slogan for December is - Designated Driver/Designate your Driver.

“A designated driver is crucial for everyone to have a safe holiday now more than any other time of the year. Designated drivers are an integral part of keeping roads safe, and by educating friends and family, we can work together to lower the number of accidents and even deaths.

“An alarming trend among many young people is choosing the “least drunk” of the group to get behind the wheel after a night of drinking instead of a completely sober driver. That is why it is very important to designate a driver before any drinking takes place. When selecting a designated driver, consider the following:

• “Avoid appointing someone who is rarely sober to be your designated driver. Don’t be naive choose someone you know can handle the responsibility of getting you and your friends home safely.

• “Take turns to be the designated driver on different occasions, so it is not always the same person who is responsible.

• “Make sure the designated driver collects everyone’s keys before any drinking begins. This will avoid confrontation under uncomfortable circumstances and ensure they are the only person equipped to drive.

• “At the end of the night or the next day, make sure that you thank your designated driver. It’s a small gesture that only takes a minute.

“We want everyone to have a safe holiday, so please have a designated driver. If you cannot secure a designated driver, remember that there are always ways to get home safe without getting behind the wheel:

• Hiring a taxi or minibus.
• Using HITCH or Homesafe.
• Calling a family member or friend to come to pick you up.

“The BRSC would like to acknowledge CADA for hosting their annual Let Us Drive initiative, which will take place on:

• December 9th to 11th
• December 16th to 18th and December 30th and 31st

“We would also like to thank CADA for hosting their TIPS Program, a dynamic, skills-based training program to prevent intoxication, drunk driving and underage driving by enhancing fundamental “people skills” of servers, sellers and consumers of alcohol. We want to thank all restaurants, bars, and public members who have completed the TIPS program. We applaud you for playing a vital role in making our roads safe. As a community, we must all look out for each other.

“The BRSC would like to announce their partnership with the Pickled Onion Restaurant on their ‘Designated Driver Happy Hour’ initiative. Every Friday throughout December between 6 pm and 9 pm, the BRSC will be offering free Zero Proof Cocktails to patrons of the Pickled Onion restaurant. All patrons must be 18 years or older and will be required to sign the Designated Driver Pledge Sheet.

“In closing, the BRSC would like to remind all the motoring public to drive with care, caution and courtesy, slow down and Don’t Drink and Drive. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and we all must do our part in keeping our roads safe.”

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