Record number of partygoers use anti-drink driving service
Around 35,000 people used the Nez Rouge (red nose) volunteer driver service in 2018 to get home safely after being out on the town, the charity says.
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This is 2% higher than in 2017 and a new record, it said in a statement on January 1External link. In addition, the total number of drives recorded was up by 3% to 16,900 and the number of volunteers on the road rose by 1% to 10,000.
New Year’s Eve remained the busiest day of the year for the volunteer drivers: 1,600 of them ferried 8,800 revellers home safely.
“It’s more than numbers, Nez RougeExternal link is proud of the unstinting commitment of its numerous volunteers,” the statement said, adding that this could be behind the scenes organising the campaign or as a volunteer driver.
The charity pointed out that the anti drink-driving campaign had come a long way since its beginnings in canton Jura in 1990, in which just 97 drives were undertaken.
Nez Rouge, which runs over the Christmas festivity period until January 1 each year, is now available throughout the country, with the exception of Basel, Graubünden and upper Valais. The idea originated in Québec, Canada.
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Charity helps tipsy drivers get home safe
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Nearly 4,000 people used the “Nez Rouge” volunteer driver service to get home safely on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day after having a few drinks.
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Most road traffic accidents in Switzerland last year were caused by distracted drivers who were texting or phoning at the wheel.
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