Message in a bottle for Christmas party safety (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Message in a bottle for Christmas party safety

12:40pm Thursday 19th November 2009

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AN SOS just might save lives this Christmas as a message in a bottle is sent to businesses to encourage them to think about safety.

Hertfordshire County Council is reminding employers to think about how their workers get home after office Christmas parties.

In the last three years, more than 100 pedestrians around the county have been injured in road accidents because they were drunk. Tragically, three people have been killed.

Stuart Pile, executive member for highways and transport, said: "So much effort goes into organising Christmas parties but sometimes making sure the revellers get home safely is overlooked.

"People are aware of the dangers of drink driving, particularly during the festive season, but the drunk pedestrian issue is something which is often not taken seriously enough."

The county council is sending directors of businesses in the area empty wine bottles containing a message about the number of pedestrians injured due to being drunk, which also includes contacts for licensed taxi companies.

Mr Pile added: "We want everyone to have a safe and happy Christmas so we hope our message in a bottle will be an eye-catching way to get this important advice across."

The sending of the bottles coincides with National Road Safety Week, which starts on November 23.

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