annual designated driver campaign.

This year, more than 35 hotels and restaurants have signed up for the seasonal programme, which aims to curtail the number of Christmas drunken driving incidents by offering free soft drinks to designated drivers.

"The success and growth of this campaign is dependent upon the business community, and it is because of your support that we will slowly be able to change the Country's attitude toward driving while impaired,'' Transport Minister Wayne Furbert, flanked by insurance company executives and Road Safety Council members, told a Press conference at the Porch Restaurant.

Under the terms of "this comprehensive, Island-wide campaign,'' holiday revellers are encouraged to choose one individual in their party as the evening's designated driver, who in turn is given an identifying button to wear and free non-alcoholic beverages for the duration of the group's stay.

This year, six of the Island's major insurance companies have joined to provide the funding for the programme's ad campaign.

Esso has also bankrolled the production of the buttons, which are available at gas stations throughout Bermuda.

Some of the hotels that will be participating in the 1995 programme include the Princess Hotel, the Southampton Princess, Sonesta Beach, Marriott's Castle Harbour and Pink Beach.

Bars and restaurants like the Cock and Feather, Oasis, Wharf Tavern, Portofino and Tuscany are also taking part.

While Mr. Burgess did not provide figures to back up his claims yesterday, he told the Press conference that the designated driver programme had demonstrably reduced the number of year-over-year drunk-driving incidents since it began.

The Minister also said that "this type of thing should be encouraged'' over the New Year weekend as well.