HELP is being offered to responsible employers to combat the morning after drink drive concerns with free training being provided by Devon County Council s Road Safety Team.

HELP is being offered to responsible employers to combat 'the morning after' drink drive concerns with free training being provided by Devon County Council's Road Safety Team.

It is commonly assumed that drivers under the influence of alcohol are arrested on their way home from the pub, but the reality is that the effects of alcohol can last well into the next morning and drivers could still be over the limit and have their driving abilities impaired.

In response, the County Council is offering companies in Devon free five hour training sessions for employees. This will include information on various drink drive related issues and background information including the morning after risks and how to avoid putting yourself in a position where you could be at risk of driving while over the limit.

The first business to benefit from this service is Skern Lodge activity centre, in Appledore, North Devon. As a provider of a range of training programmes, events and activities for people of all ages and abilities, the Managing Director, Andy Milne, wants to give his staff the chance to benefit from this type of training.

He said: "I know that we have an extremely responsible staff team here but knowledge is king. Presumably the same alcohol effects are not only relevant to driving but also to engineering, working at heights, medical staff and many more. I will be attending this free course with interest."

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, added: "Drink driving needlessly puts lives at risk on our roads and while attitudes have changed in recent decades it is still a very real problem. I'm pleased that Devon County Council is offering this important course to all companies across Devon which can be of great benefit to their staff."

In Britain last year, national records show 460 people were killed in drink-drive crashes where drivers were over the current legal limit. The Christmas period is always a particular concern because of the higher number of people enjoying the party season and Devon and Cornwall Police rigorously enforces the drink drive laws during this time. During the same period in 2006, Devon and Cornwall Police administered 3,178 breath tests, with 335 drivers being caught.

Any businesses interested in further information on this training service should email rshelp@devon.gov.uk.