COMPANY directors in Worcestershire are being targeted by an anti-drink-driving organisation.

TTC 2000 wants directors to introduce alcohol and drug awareness courses into the workplace to create a better-informed workforce and ultimately safer roads.

It is part of a campaign to reduce the incidence of drink driving during the peak summer period by TTC 2000, a not-for-profit organisation which provides alcohol awareness and training courses.

"Drink-drive figures peak during the summer months because of a mixture of warm weather, barbecues and people on outings," said Graham Wynn, TTC 2000's managing director.

"They drink more than at any other time of the year."

Mr Wynn said more Worcestershire motorists were arrested for drink driving in the summer than at any other time.

Figures revealed by TTC 2000 show that, nationally, drink drive cases rise between 5 and 7 per cent in June and July compared with statistics for December and January.

TTC 2000, based in Telford, Shropshire, provides rehabilitation courses for people sent to them by the courts after being convicted of drink-driving.

Motorists can reduce their ban by up to one quarter after completing the course.

In 2001, a total of 1,363 offenders were referred by the courts to the course in the West Mercia police district, which includes Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire.

Mr Wynn said the summer was a hazardous time because of a mixture of barbecues and the long summer evenings.

"A typical case for summer drink drivers is having a late morning drink while gardening, drinking at a lunchtime barbecue, topping up with a glass of wine at dinner, followed by an unscheduled trip out in the car," he said.

Exceed limit

"On each separate occasion, just small amounts of alcohol may have been consumed, possibly insufficient to exceed the drink-drive limit, but unfortunately alcohol is processed very slowly by the body and topping up will take them over the legal limit."

He added that apart from the "embarrassment" of the court case, offenders risked a minimum 12-month driving ban and a heavy fine.

The award-winning organisation is also carrying out a campaign to lobby the Government for better labelling of drink containers so people know exactly how many units of alcohol they have drunk.

Another initiative involves lobbying landlords to provide cheaper soft drinks to encourage people not to drink and drive.

Company managers and directors interested in work-place initiatives can phone Mr Wynn or Jenny Feehan on 01952 292246.

More information can also be obtained from the website at www.ttc-uk.com.