Youngsters are not drinking and driving as much as they used to, reveals the National Association of Companies Trading in Alcoholic Beverages (ANEBE).
The statement followed the association’s anti-drink driving campaign ‘100% Cool’, which hit the roads of Vilamoura and Albufeira this month to raise awareness among youngsters about the perils of drunk driving and reward drivers for choosing not to drink.
Out of the 316 young drivers stopped by the police authorities, 220 had zero alcohol blood levels or were under the permitted limit.
“It shows that the tendency to drink and drive amongst youngsters aged 18-30 is decreasing,” ANEBE said, adding that groups of youngsters these days elect a “designated driver” who is not allowed to drink alcohol when they go out.
According to ANEBE, this shows that youngsters are “very aware of the dangers of matching alcohol with driving”.
The campaign took place between August 2 and 24 with five separate day-time and night-time operations. Responsible drivers were awarded everything from fuel discounts to free gym memberships.
‘100% Cool’ is Portugal’s longest established anti-drunk-driving campaign and is organised alongside the GNR force. The first initiative was held in 2002.
