Press Release
Get a cab to drive home 'safely' this festive season
11-12-2008 670
Formula 1 world champion joins Mika Häkkinen and the Mayor of London in anti-Drink Drive campaign on the capital’s streets.
Lewis Hamilton, the 2008 Formula 1 World Champion, took to the wheel again today, this time partnering two-time world champion, Mika Häkkinen, to reinforce an anti-drink drive campaign organized by Diageo. Fulfilling hidden ambitions to drive iconic London Cabs, the two world champions tested their ‘knowledge’ of London’s streets, reminding people to never drink and drive and to use designated drivers and public transport to get home safely over the holiday season.
Joining forces with Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, Lewis and Mika hailed ‘the real champions’ – the public transport drivers who get the public home safely.
Lewis Hamilton said, “Our message is simple: never drink and drive. If you are out celebrating, use a designated driver, whether that is a taxi, bus, tube or train driver or a friend who doesn’t drink. Ever since I passed my driving test, whenever I go out with my friends I’m always happy to be the designated driver. That way I know everyone gets home safely.”
The world champions drove black cabs across Tower Bridge, around the Tower of London, over London Bridge to City Hall to join forces with professional drivers from Transport for London as part of Johnnie Walker’s responsible drinking programme.
Häkkinen, added: “Lewis and I want to use our profiles positively and try to change attitudes. It’s great we’ve been able to come to London and highlight the real champions, the people who get us home safely every day of the week.”
Last year, 460 people were killed and approximately 1750 seriously injured in the UK as a result of drinking and driving (Department for Transport). Whereas in the EU Drink Driving accounts for approximately 25% of all road deaths (European Transport Safety Council).
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, added, ‘"Too many lives are tragically wasted through drink-driving accidents, so I hope that the message really gets through by having Lewis and Mika, two of the world's most talented and renowned Formula One drivers, leading the call for people to think before getting into a car. This is particularly prescient at this time of year when many of us will be enjoying a couple of drinks in celebration of the festive season.
Johnson continued, "There are a wealth of public transport options out there that can get you home 24 hours a day, and anyone in London can utilise our CABWISE text service, which gives you the numbers of two local licensed minicab operators and a taxi operator wherever you are in London when you text HOME to 60835. For a few pence it could just help to save lives."
Mary Williams, CEO of road safety charity Brake, said: “In the UK, drink driving is one of the biggest causes of road deaths, especially during the festive season. We’re pleased to work with Diageo, one of our valued corporate partners, to combat this issue. Brake fully endorses Johnnie Walker's anti-drink and drive message, highlighted by true world champions Lewis Hamilton and Mika Häkkinen. We urge all drivers this Christmas to pledge to never drink and drive – not even a drop.”
Andrew Morgan, President Diageo Europe said: “Mika and Lewis lead our Never Drink and Drive campaign, which itself is at the heart of our Johnnie Walker F1 sponsorship programme. Representing two decades of world champions, they bring real impact to this crucial message. Between them Mika and Lewis have been to over 20 different countries to promote responsible drinking, and at this time of year it’s particularly important to get the message across.”
ENDS
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