Skipper program makes getting home easier

A year after jumping at the chance to promote safe driving at the Eaton Tavern, the bar staff are relishing the success of their road safety campaign.

Under a skipper’s program started a year ago — following a suggestion from the RoadWise committee — Eaton Tavern staff have been offering free soft drinks to designated drivers.

Eaton Tavern manager Vicki Skraha said the hotel’s staff had been happy to take part in the program.

“Any action taken to reduce the occurrence of road trauma is a positive action,” she said.

Mrs Skraha said the program had grown in popularity as bar patrons realised it was being offered.

“A lot of people worry that customers will abuse it, but they don’t,” she said.

“We just offer them free drinks — soft drink, water and tea or coffee — for the night.

“It means their friends will get home safely, it’s another small way to provide a community service.”

Dardanup Tavern has also started the skipper program and Mrs Skraha encouraged other venues to do the same.

“It’s a responsible thing for publicans to do,” she said.

Mrs Skraha said she hoped the skipper program would continue to grow throughout the region to get people home safely.

“All you have to do when you arrive at the Eaton Tavern is come up to the bar and tell us you’re the skipper,” she said.