Steve Brine has encouraged constituents to celebrate being a Designated Driver this Christmas, through a national scheme run by Coca-Cola in partnership with the Department for Transport's THINK! road safety campaign.
Coca-Cola has launched its Christmas Designated Driver Campaign which rewards consumers who are driving to the pub this Christmas with a free soft drink.
Now in its eighth year, the festive campaign was launched at a reception in the House of Parliament at the start of December, and aims to encourage consumers to take a socially responsible approach to drinking over the festive period.
To help reduce drink driving over Christmas, licensed pubs and bars can now offer drivers a free second soft drink when they purchase a Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Life, Coca-Cola Zero, Diet Coke, a Schweppes drink or Appletiser.
The Designated Driver scheme will once again be running at thousands of pubs across the UK. This year, there is a particular focus on destination and community-based pub and bar locations with parking facilities, to help drive footfall to these pubs during the festive period.
Jon Woods, General Manager, Coca-Cola Great Britain, said: "For the eighth year in a row, designated drivers at pubs across the country will be rewarded with free drinks so that they can celebrate the festive period and help to get their friends and family home safely. This is our way of thanking the unsung heroes of the festive party season, whilst helping make sure the roads are a bit safer for everyone."
Steve Brine said: "This is a good, and very simple idea, which I know will be very popular across Winchester & Chandler's Ford. I know that a number of local pubs have already signed up, and I am sure the number taking part will grow even more as December progresses."
Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association said: "It's great to see so many pubgoers embracing the idea of having a designated driver – support from companies like Coca-Cola for the campaign really is making a difference. Being a designated driver doesn't stop you having a great night out at Christmas. But it does mean that everyone can have a safe journey home."
Andrew Jones MP, Roads Minister, said: "Drivers know that drink driving is wrong. It can destroy families and ruin lives. Yet some people at Christmas will still take the risk and get behind the wheel when they shouldn't.
"Over the past thirty years drink drive deaths have fallen significantly but every death or serious injury is one too many. The best way for drivers to keep themselves and other road users safe is simple: don't drink and drive."
More information ...
You can find out which local pubs are taking part in the campaign by using the postcode pub finder here. This will be updated throughout December.