Cobar’s pubs, clubs and bottle shops are determined to do their bit to reduce drink driving in Cobar, and have joined forces to promote a ‘Plan B’ campaign.
Cobar Liquor Accord members, the Cobar Bowling & Golf Club, Cobar Memorial Services Club, Empire Hotel and the Great Western Hotel are all keen to see the Plan B statewide initiative (which encourages patrons to think about an alternatives to driving home after a night out) promoted in Cobar.
Statistics show that drink driving is one of the biggest causes of death and injury on NSW roads.
Country people are at particular risk given the lack of public transport or other options for getting home.
In the last five years, there have been 395 crashes in the western region involving alcohol, which resulted in 521 casualties.
From tomorrow, patrons at the local participating pubs, clubs and bottle shops will be invited to enter a competition to nominate their Plan B for getting home.
“Catch a cab, walk home or throw a swag out on a mate’s floor – we don’t mind what your Plan B is, so long as it’s not driving home,” Cobar Liquor Accord spokesperson, Peter Vlatko said.
“Every entry puts patrons in the running to win a swag valued at over $250.”
The promotion coincides with an increase in police random breath tests (RBTs) across the state making it even more likely that anyone drink driving will get caught.
“The best advice for anyone planning a night out is to leave the car at home,” Mr Vlatko said.
“That way there’s no temptation to try and drive home. A crash or a drink driving charge would not make for a happy new year,” Mr Vlatko warned.
In NSW, drink-driving is a criminal offence, which can result in hefty fines, licence disqualification and/or custodial sentences.
