DESIGNATED drivers in the Redlands will receive free non-alcoholic drinks at seven licensed venues, as part of a designated driver program.
In an effort to reduce alcohol related incidents, the Bayside Licensed Venues Accord (BLVA) partnered with Metro South Addiction Services and Lives Lived Well to create the designated driver program.
Bayside Licenced Venues Accord secretary Somma Fuller said the program received the go-ahead after obtaining a grant from the Department of Transport and Main Roads
"The grant was enough to cover advertising, wristbands and materials, then it was up to the venues to provide the post mix," she said.
Designated drivers would need to identify themselves at the venue to receive their free drinks.
"They all get a card, a wrist band and are allowed up to four soft drinks in the night." she said.
She said the venues participating in the program were Birkdale Tavern, Koala Tavern, Grand View Hotel, Waterloo Bay Hotel, Manly Hotel, Wynnum West Tavern and Wynnum Manly Leagues Club.
Lives Lived Well chief executive officer Mitchell Giles said as a leading drug and alcohol support organisation in Queensland, it was pleased to partner with a program that encouraged responsible choices around drinking.
"Drink driving is just one of the risks associated with alcohol and it is one that can have serious consequences for an affected driver and others," he said.
Addiction Services director Linda Hipper said the program would help keep the roads safer and rewards those who chose not to drink alcohol.
"Not only is the program about making sure everyone gets home safely at the end of the night, it's also about making responsible transport choices around alcohol consumption," she said.
Somma said designated driver would need to identify themselves at the venue to receive their free drinks.
"They all get a card, a wrist band and are allowed up to four soft drinks in the night." she said.
She said the venues participating in the program were, Birkdale Tavern, Koala Tavern, Grand View Hotel, Waterloo Bay Hotel, Manly Hotel, Wynnum West Tavern and Wynnum Manly Leagues Club.
