Designated drivers will be able to get free draught soft drinks over the Christmas period in a South Wales Police scheme looking to promote responsible drinking, with road safety in mind.
The initiative, which will run over Christmas until the start of January, has already seen more than 80 premises sign up. Customers who make themselves known to bar staff as the designated driver – or as ‘DES’ – will be given a wristband, enabling them to receive free draught soft drinks or squash.
A designated driver is defined as someone who abstains from drinking alcohol to act as the responsible driver. South Wales Police said it hoped the 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. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter.
A statement from the police read: “There is no way to know how much you can drink and stay under the limit, since it can depend on your weight, age, metabolism, the amount of food you’ve eaten and other factors.
“It’s impossible to get alcohol out of your system quickly, it always takes time. A shower, a cup of coffee or other ways of ‘sobering up’ may make you feel better but won’t remove the alcohol from your system. If you’ve been out drinking, you may still be affected by alcohol the next day and could lose your licence if you drive and are still over the legal limit.
“The biggest risk you take when driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is the risk of causing a collision. Driving under the influence of drink or drugs is extremely dangerous and can affect your driving in numerous ways. Alcohol and drugs can also create a false confidence which can lead to an increase in risk-taking behaviour, which puts your life and the lives of others in danger.” Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news. You will receive updates from us daily.
The following pubs are participating in the scheme:
Cardiff
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Metros Nightclub, Bakers Row, city centre, CF10 1AL
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The Philharmonic, St Mary Street, city centre, CF10 1FA
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Retro Lounge, Mill Lane, city centre, CF10 1FL
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Brewhouse, The Old Brewery Quarter, city centre, CF10 3AD
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The Bluebell, High Street, city centre, CF10 1PU
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The Daffodil, Windsor Place, city centre, CF10 3BZ
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Cardiff Cottage, St Mary Street, city centre, CF10 1AA
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Cardiff Marriott Hotel, Mill Lane, city centre, CF10 1EZ
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Clayton Hotel, St Mary Street, city centre, CF10 1GD
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Holiday Inn, Castle Street, city centre, CF10 1XD
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Park Inn Hotel, Mary Ann Street, city centre, CF10 2JH
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Esquires Coffee, Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay, CF10 5BZ
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The Dock, Stuart Street, Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay, CF10 5BZ
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Brewhouse & Kitchen, Sophia Close, off Cathedral Road, Pontcanna, CF11 9HW
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The Admiral, Cowbridge Road East, Canton, CF11 9AL
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The Cornwall, Cornwall Street, Grangetown, CF11 6SR
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The Discovery Inn, Celyn Avenue, Cyncoed, CF23 6FH
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The Royal Exchange, Ty Mawr Road, Llandaff North, CF14 2FQ
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Radyr Tap, Station Road, Radyr, CF15 8AA
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Rhiwbina Tap, Heol-y-deri, Rhiwbina, CF14 6HA
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Misfits, Miskin Road, Cathays, CF24 4AP
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The Royal George, Mackintosh Place, Plasnewydd, CF24 4RJ
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The New Inn, Caerphilly Road, Birchgrove, CF14 4AE
Neath Port Talbot
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The Grand Hotel, Station Road, Port Talbot, SA13 1DE
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Lord Caradoc, Station Road, Port Talbot, SA13 1NW
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Murphys Main Stage, Station Road, Port Talbot, SA13 1JB
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Bagle Brook, Baglan, SA12 8ES
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The Brit, London Road, Cwmavon, SA12 9AH
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The Refreshment Rooms, Cymmer, SA13 3HY
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Jersey Arms, Jersey Terrace, Cwmavon, SA12 9AS
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Blue Scar Welfare Club, Pontrhydyfen, SA12 9TL
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Tap Room, Castle Drive, Cimla, SA11 3YF
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Travellers Well, Rhyd-y-fro, Pontardawe, SA8 4SS
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Memories Café bar (Old Vaughan Arms), Resolven, SA11 4NA
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The Angel Inn, Pontneddfechan, SA11 5NR
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Allan Leonard Lewis Bar, Orchard Street, Neath, SA11 1DT
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Lamb & Flag, Wellfield Place, Glynneath, SA11 5ER
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Castle Hotel, High Street, Pontardawe, SA8 4HU
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Treatz Beatz, High Street, Pontardawe, SA8 4HU
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Crown Inn, Neath Road, Briton Ferry, SA11 2AX
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Green Dragon, Church Road, Cadoxton, SA10 8AU
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Pontardawe Inn, Herbert Street, Pontardawe, SA8 4ED
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Pink Geranium, Herbert Street, Pontardawe, SA8 4EB
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The Ferryman, Neath Road, Briton Ferry, SA11 2AQ
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The Ambassador, The Parade, Neath, SA11 1RA
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Banwen RFC, Dyffryn Cellwen, SA10 9LG
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Bryndulais Hotel, Church Road, Seven Sisters, SA10 9DT
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Celtic Lodge, Westernmoor Road, Neath, SA11 1BZ
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St Ives, Old Market Street, Neath, SA11 3NA
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The Crown Inn, New Road, Skewen, SA10 6EW
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Castle Hotel, The Parade, Neath, SA11 1RB
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The Flying Pig, Cyfyng Road, Ystalyfera, SA9 2BS
Rhondda Cynon Taf
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The Bute Arms, Victoria Square, Aberdare, CF44 7LB
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Taffs Well RFC, Taffs Well, CF15 7JD
Swansea
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The Hanbury, The Kingsway, city centre, SA1 5HG
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Pump House, Maritime Quarter, SA1 1TT
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Queens Hotel, Maritime Quarter, SA1 1TY
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The Olde Cross Keys, St Mary Street, city centre, SA1 3LH
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The Bryn-y-mor, Brynymor Road, Swansea, SA1 4JQ
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The Mill, Brynymor Road, Swansea, SA1 4JJ
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Wig & Pen, St Helen’s Road, Swansea, SA1 4BL
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The Globe Inn, Glais, SA7 9EN
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Old Glais Inn, Glais, SA7 9EN
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The Smiths Arms, Llansamlet, SA7 9AQ
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Plough & Harrow, Llansamlet, SA7 9RL
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The Railway Inn, Landore, SA1 2NX
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Globe Inn, Landore, SA1 2QD
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Maggie’s, Brynhyfryd, SA5 9LD
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Coopers Arms, Plasmarl, SA6 8JU
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The Masons, Waunarlwydd SA5 4SU
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Hen Dderwen, Sketty, SA2 8JH
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The Dunvant, Dunvant, SA2 7SL
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The Commercial, Killay, SA2 7AN
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The Black Boy, Killay, SA2 7AJ
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The Reverend James, Loughor, SA4 6RZ
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Gower Inn, Parkmill, Gower, SA3 2EQ
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King Arthur Hotel, Reynoldston, Gower, SA3 1AD
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The Royal Oak, Penclawdd, SA4 3YN
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The Rake and Riddle, Penclawdd, SA4 3RB
Vale of Glamorgan
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The Bear’s Head, Windsor Road, Penarth, CF64 1JD
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Hickmans, Windsor Road, Penarth, CF64 1JJ
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Sully Inn, Cog Road, Sully, CF64 5TD
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Cwmtalwg, Seven Ave, Barry, CF62 7FG
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The Park, Park Crescent, Barry, CF62 6HE
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The White Hart, Wine Street, Llantwit Major, CF61 1RZ
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Tudor Tavern, Church Street, Llantwit Major, CF61 1SB