THE Mount Gambier Hotel has adopted a new initiative offering designated drivers free soft drinks to deter members of the community from drink-driving.
Hotel patrons can present to the bar to advise staff they are a designated driver and in return will be offered a wristband giving them access to free soft drinks for the evening.
Hotel manager Jarrad Mutton said the initiative was being rolled out following a spike in people making the poor decision to drink drive.
“We have seen over the last couple of weeks that people have been taking the chance and it is not surprising they are getting caught,” he said.
“It is frustrating for us because people are looking at our venues and thinking we are letting people get intoxicated and drive home, which is just not the case at all.”
He hoped the new initiative would encourage members of the community to put their hand up to be a designated driver.
“Hopefully people see it as an opportunity to still have a good time without having to fork out any money,” he said.
“In turn it gives us a peace of mind that our patrons are leaving with those people who are sober.”
Mr Mutton said the hotel is committed to trying to implement strategies that deter people from drink driving, but admitted the responsibility ultimately falls on the patrons to make “smart decisions”.
“Obviously we cannot babysit people and follow them around all night to make sure they are not driving, but we will always do what we can to stop it where we can,” he said.
“There are cabs out there and most places are walking distance from town, so why take the chance?”
With eight people losing their licence as a result of drink driving last weekend, Mr Mutton implored the community to “look out” for each other heading into the long weekend.
“I encourage people to have a fun and a social time, but just organise a ride home with your designated driver or in a taxi,” he said.
“It comes back to mates looking after mates because if you do risk it, you are going to end up paying for it, particularly if you kill someone, you will have to live with it for the rest of your life.”
He said people were very naive to think they will not get caught leaving a licensed premises in the early hours of the morning.
“If you leave here, there is a high chance you are going to get pulled over, it is a simple as that,” Mr Mutton said.
“It effects not only the driver, but it effects everybody.
“If people keep getting done they are going to put more taxes on licensed premises, which will see beer prices go up and everything else will get more expensive.”
