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Adding some fizz to the launch were top models Georgia Salpa, Felicia and Jenny Lee. The girls posed for pictures in a vintage red Ferrari, to drive home the message, if you’re a Designated Driver, make sure your soft drinks are on the house this Christmas!

Speaking at the launch, Erica Roseingrave, Public Affairs and Communications Manager, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland said: “This year, Coca-Cola is encouraging even more designated drivers to avail of complimentary beverages from the Coca-Cola range, in participating licenses premises. To cater for varying consumer preferences, a wide range of non–alcoholic beverages is available free of charge, including Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Sprite Zero, Fanta as well as Deep RiverRock and Fruice. Encouraging people to make the responsible choice when driving is crucial in reducing the numbers of road accidents, particularly during the holiday season. The availability of non-alcoholic drinks free of charge can provide people with an all-important alternative and rewards drivers for socialising safely.”

Coca-Cola: Promoting Responsible Driving and Road Safety

 As Ireland’s leading non-alcoholic beverage company, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland is pleased to play its part to promote responsible driving, through a campaign that benefits both consumers and the licensed trade. Participating in the Designated Driver Christmas Campaign allows publicans to incentivise customers to continue to visit licensed premises and encourages drivers to take a responsible approach to the issue of drinking and driving - a win-win for all.
The campaign first launched in 2004 and has grown substantially in scale and profile. Coca-Cola HBC has won a number of awards in relation to the programme, most recently the Best Corporate Social Responsibility Award at the All Ireland Marketing Awards 2009.
Multi-Stakeholder Support for the Campaign.

The campaign has benefited from the much-appreciated support of a variety of organisations including An Garda Siochana, drinkaware.ie, the Road Safety Authority, the Vintners Federation of Ireland, the Licensed Vintners Association, the Restaurant Association of Ireland, the Irish Hotels Federation, the Beverage Council of Ireland and the Irish Nightclub Industry Association.

Assistant Garda Commissioner Eddie Rock has welcomed the initiative: “An Garda Síochána’s objective is to further improve road safety by changing driver behavior. By increasing public awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving, the Designated Driver campaign can help change behaviour and attitudes in this area. We want people to face up to their responsibilities and not engage in behavior which endangers themselves, their friends, families and community.” he said.

Fionnuala Sheehan, Chief Executive of drinkaware.ie, has expressed her support for the initiative stating: “We are delighted to fully endorse the Coca-Cola Designated Driver campaign and encourage the public to avail of it. The campaign is a practical initiative that will encourage responsible drinking around the busy Christmas period.”
Sheehan also took the opportunity to remind people that you might still be over the limit to drive the morning after the night before. "Your body gets rid of roughly one standard drink per hour - that's a glass of beer or a small glass of wine or a pub measure of spirits per hour. It's best to make alternative arrangements if you think alcohol may still be in your system. Remember the designated driver system is effective whether it is used to travel to work in the morning or home from a party at night."

Find out if Your Local is participating on www.designateddriver.ie. Go online to www.designateddriver.ie to find out if your local is participating in the 2009 Designated Driver campaign – and take part in some fun games and competitions for novel prizes, including mini table football sets and other toys!

Coca-Cola wishes all our customers a very happy and safe Christmas

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For more information, please contact:
Public Affairs and Communications Manager
Coca-Cola HBC Northern Ireland
Phone number: + 44 28 92 64 2200