Long Sutton pub introduced 'Designated Driver' scheme to deter drinking and driving at Christmas

Staff at a Long Sutton pub are taking practical steps to support Lincolnshire Police’s annual campaign against drink-driving at Christmas.

The Ship, in London Road, Long Sutton, is serving free, unlimited soft drinks to “designated drivers” eating out at the pub to help people avoid the temptation of drink-driving.

Lucy Smith (19), of Gedney, who works at The Ship, said she came up with the idea after seeing two people caught by police for “being over the limit”.

She said: “I’ve worked at The Ship in the evenings for the last 18months and drink-driving is a big problem in Long Sutton.

“In recent weeks, I’ve seen two people caught for being over the limit but, luckily, no one was hurt.

“When serving behind the bar, I never know if someone is driving and there have been occasions when I’ve taken the car keys off people.

“If there was an accident, I would feel guilty because I was the one who supplied them with the alcohol.

“I’m the sort of person who likes to make a difference but, over the last year, I’ve learned the hard way that some people just don’t realise the severity of drink driving.”

Lucy’s concerns are backed up by research done for last year’s Lincolnshire Road Safety Summit which showed that, between 2012 and 2016, more than 200 people from South Holland were involved in crashes that were drink or drug-related.

This is more than double the national average and over 15 per cent above the level for Lincolnshire’s other six districts.

Lucy said: “We actively encourage responsible drinking at The Ship which is why we’ve decided to bring in a new initiative to promote ‘Designated Drivers’.

“Every night throughout December, we are offering designated drivers free, unlimited soft drinks for the duration of their meal.

“With the damage and heartbreak that drink-driving causes, we want to work with the emergency services to reduce the chances of people being tempted to get behind the wheel.

“I’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the response so far and if we can help prevent just one person driving when over the limit, it will be completely worthwhile.”

Inspector Gareth Boxall, neighbourhood policing inspector for South Holland, said: “Drink driving can have a devastating effect on the lives of those who are killed or injured as a result.

“Our officers will be conducting increased checks throughout South Holland to stop drink and drug-driving in the lead-up to Christmas.

“Even a small amount of alcohol can impair your ability to drive so our advice is don’t have anything to drink if you are going to drive.

“Consequently, I thoroughly welcome this initiative by The Ship in Long Sutton.”

Detective Inspector Ewen Gell, of the Serious Collisions Investigation Unit at the East Midlands Operations Support Service, said: “It is commendable that this local business has taken this step to proactively help with road safety in their area and it would be good to see others following this lead.

“You are 23 times more likely to be involved in a serious or fatal road traffic collision when you have consumed alcohol so any initiative of this kind is welcomed.”