BEER mats telling drinkers they are an ‘eejit’, ‘numpty’ and ‘choob’ if they choose to drink and drive have been delivered to pubs across East Lothian.
The beer mats are part of a nationwide campaign warning people of the dangers of drink-driving during the festive period.
Heather Bowsher, Police Scotland’s divisional licensing officer for the region, showed off the beer mats at a meeting of East Lothian Council licensing board.
Speaking to the Courier, she said: “Especially in the run-up to Christmas, we are always looking for ways to remind people that the drink-drive limit has gone down.
“You are as well not to drink – it can only take one drink in some cases to put you over the limit.
“At this time of the year, you have got people who do not ordinarily go out for a drink, you have got Christmas parties, and this is just to make them aware.”
About 1,000 of the beer mats are being delivered to pubs the length and breadth of the county to warn punters not to drink and drive.
The officer, who is based in Haddington, said that the majority of the beer mats had now been handed out to bars, pubs and restaurants.
She added: “There has been a good response – I have not had anybody come back and say they are not happy with them.”
On one side of the beer mats is printed a single, evocative word such as ‘choob’ while the reverse defines the word as “a person who drinks and drives”.
In addition, there is a sentence, such as: “John was a pure choob, he drove after three pints and got banned from driving.”
The officer stressed that there were plenty of taxi companies and other options available to ensure a night out did not end up with driving home while under the influence of alcohol.
She added: “Drink-driving can have a huge impact on families and the individual themselves.
“It would not be the first or last time that somebody has knocked someone down while drink-driving.
“The impact on themselves, their families and the victim is just not worth it.”
Provost John McMillan, who is a member of East Lothian Licensing Board, backed the scheme.
He said that the beer mats displayed a serious message which he hoped would get across to members of the public.
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