MORE than 50 licences premises will offer free soft drinks to those giving lifts homes to friends and family after a night out this Christmas.

Dorset Police has launched a new initiative, ‘lift legend’ which will run between Wednesday, December 1 and Saturday, January 1.

On the purchase of their first soft drink, drivers will be able to receive a voucher to have their second free of charge at participating venues.

During the month-long operation officers will be raising awareness of the inherent dangers involved in drink driving by encouraging people to take responsibility for their actions this Christmas.

Breath tests will also be requested from all drivers who commit a moving road traffic offence, irrespective of whether or not they’re suspected a drink driving offence.

Officers will also be carrying out intelligence-led fixed site checks, as well as engaging with motorists on the risks of getting behind the wheel after a drink.

Superintendent Adrian Leisk, of the roads policing team, said: “It is vital we do all we can to ensure anyone on a night out is able to get home safely. Our new initiative aims to encourage those heading out for the night to plan who is going to be their lift legend.

“Despite long-term reductions, drink and drug driving still accounts for 15 per cent of road deaths and almost 10,000 casualties nationally each year.

“During last year’s Christmas campaign, officers in Dorset carried out 475 breath tests and charged 46 people with a drink drive-related offence.

“Alongside the Lift Legend education campaign, officers will be out in force rigorously targeting those who are a danger on our roads, day or night.

“If police think you are unfit to drive through consumption of alcohol, even if your breath test registers lower than the prescribed limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, you can still be arrested and may be charged with an offence. In short, you do not have to be drunk to be a drink driver. Don’t risk it.”

Kim Whyman, general manager of Slug and Lettuce, said: “We are proud to be taking part in this scheme and do our bit in keeping everyone as safe as possible this festive season.

“Lift legend is a brilliant initiative that brings all venues in the area together and encourages people to go out, have fun, but to also plan a safe journey home. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is, and always has been, our number one priority when they visit us.”