A popular pub scheme for designated drivers will be returning for the Six Nations.
The South Wales Police initiative allows anyone who abstains to take to the wheel on a night out to receive free or discounted soft drinks from certain venues.
Customers who make themselves known to bar staff as the designated driver – or as ‘DES’ – are then given a wristband, enabling them to receive free or discounted draught soft drinks or squash.
It's usually run over the Christmas and New Year period - but now, the DES scheme will be run during the championship, which kicks off next weekend and runs until 14th March.
So far, around 30 licenced premises across the region have signed up to the initiative, including four in the Vale of Glamorgan and one in Cardiff Bay:
- The Park Hotel, Barry
- St Fagans Castle, Penarth
- The Golden Lion, Penarth
- The Bear's Head, Penarth
- The Dock, Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay
The main aim of the scheme is to promote responsible drining with road safety in mind.
A South Wales Police spokesperson said: "Whether this offer stands for selected matchdays, (i.e. only if Wales are playing), or for a stipulated number of drinks, is determined by each individual licensed premises, as they are the ones covering the costs."
"We know it can sometimes be a burden being the designated driver, but we hope this scheme will encourage more people to be aware of the very serious consequences of drink driving and the importance of being safe on the roads."
Any premises interested in joining the Six Nations DES scheme can contact their local licensing team.
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