Bars in Quebec town to give free non-alcoholic drinks to designated drivers

LAVAL, Que. – Police in Laval, Que., are fighting impaired driving by teaming up with 24 bars in the city to offer free non-alcoholic drinks to designated drivers.

The initiative provides a driver — accompanied by at least two friends — with a bracelet upon their arrival at the bar allowing them to get free non-alcoholic drinks determined by the bar.

The drinks are served at the same rhythm as the alcoholic beverages.

Police in Laval, just north of Montreal, say their target group is people aged between 18 and 25, but the program will be available to all.

Participating bars received a kit including posters, bracelets and ink stamps to identify designated drivers.

The program, dubbed CoDeBars, began in Sherbrooke, Que. in 2017.

Laval police Chief Pierre Brochet says the program recognizes the important role of designated drivers and gives them the opportunity to celebrate while keeping roads safe.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 21, 2019.