IN AN effort to curb drink driving within the shire this festive season, Leeton hotels, clubs and bottle shops have launched a joint Plan B initiative in partnership with council.
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The best advice for people planning a night out is to leave the car at home. That way there’s no temptation to try and drive home.
- Leeton Shire Council road safety officer Steph Puntoriero
The Leeton Local Government Area is the worst performing area in the South West Region for alcohol related crashes.
In the five years from 2012 to 2016, 17 per cent of all vehicle crashes recorded in the shire were a direct result of drink driving.
This figure is around four times above the state average of 4.3 per cent and more than double the South West Region average of 7.3 per cent.
From the 22 crashes there were 27 casualties, of which 15 involved serious injuries to the vehicle occupants.
Eight of the occupants were also un-restrained in the vehicles involved in the crashes.
This year’s Plan B initiative in Leeton will involve the businesses promoting the philosophy of finding transportation alternatives after events involving alcohol, with a “Win a Swag” campaign to be run from Saturday, December 1 until Sunday, January 14.
Participating venues are the Leeton and District Bowling Club, Hotel Leeton, Wade Hotel and Yanco All-Servicemen’s Club.
Each venue will run a competition where patrons can enter to win a swag valued at $250 each. Patrons will be asked to provide their name and contact details, as well as nominating their Plan B to get home.
“The prize reinforces the Plan B message that there’s always an alternative to drink driving,” Leeton Shire Council Road Safety Officer Steph Puntoriero said.
“There’s always options, such as why not catch a cab, roll a swag out in the back of the ute, or sleep on a mate’s floor?
“Local hotels, clubs and bottle shops are making a strong stand and are being proactive in discouraging their patrons from driving after a night out.
“The best advice for people planning a night out is to leave the car at home. That way there’s no temptation to try and drive home. Having a crash or getting a drink driving charge would not make for a happy new year.”
Leeton police have warned of extra random breath testing over the Christmas period, making the chances of getting caught drink driving even greater.
The Plan B drink driving campaign is a state wide program that began in August 2012.
It is about encouraging individuals to make positive choices to get home safely after a night out, highlighting that driving is not an option.
Drink driving is one of the biggest causes of death and injury on NSW roads.
In 2017, there were 56 people killed and 426 people seriously injured in crashes involving drivers who were over the legal blood alcohol limit.
Men make up 87 per cent of drink drivers in fatal crashes.
In NSW, drink driving is a criminal offence, which can result in hefty fines, licence disqualification and/or custodial sentences.
