Who's DES tonight? / Burnie City Council.

Entrant: Pre-disaster Category, Local Government Stream, Safer Communities awards 2005.

Burnie has a documented history of pedestrian accidents in the CBD and drink driving offences. Coupled with this is a record of anti-social behaviour including vandalism and assaults as well as an issue of the regular unavailability of taxis for late night revellers. In an attempt to combat these issues through a road safety program the Burnie Community Road Safety Committee, with members from Burnie City Council, DIER, Tasmania Police, Neighbourhood Watch, RACT and the North-West Recreational Cyclists Group, conceived the concept of the "Who's DES Tonight?" Designated Driver Program. A Designated Driver, or DES for short, is a person who agrees not to drink any alcoholic beverages and to transport home safely those who are under the influence of alcohol. This coordinated program, with the potential to be a national model for designated driving, is based around the idea that 'mates look after mates' and that by looking after the welfare of your 'mate' you will ensure they get home safely. In simple terms, the nominated DES must transport at least one person who intends to drink alcohol to and from an official "Who's DES Tonight?" venue. The DES will register themselves at a designated space at the venue to receive unlimited free soft drink during the opening hours of the venue and will go into the draw for monthly petrol voucher draws. Statistics highlight the success of the program. It is reported that there has been in excess of a 50% decrease in drink driving offences in Burnie during the pilot program compared with the previous year. Coupled with this is an over 60% reduction in personal offences (assaults) in the CBD and almost a 30% reduction in vandalism in the CBD. Anecdotal evidence shows that there has been an increased awareness of what it is to be a Designated Driver as well as what a Drink Walker is. There has also been increased safety within venues (DES acting as a crowd controller) and increased awareness of the dangers associated with late night revelling. Following the success of the pilot program and the release of the associated Evaluation report, the future is what we make it. The official "Who's DES Tonight?" Toolkit for new takers of the program to be officially released in September 2005 and the aim is to support other council areas to implement the program. The program will be continued and expanded in Burnie with an aim to include more sporting clubs and restaurants.