Cambourne cab firm and pub join forces to reduce drink-driving

A TAXI firm owner and a pub landlord in Great Cambourne are calling time on drink-drivers by joining forces to offer discounted journeys home from the village pub. Lee Cave, of 079 Call a Cab based in High Street, started the initiative just before Chri

A TAXI firm owner and a pub landlord in Great Cambourne are calling time on drink-drivers by joining forces to offer discounted journeys home from the village pub.

Lee Cave, of 079 Call a Cab based in High Street, started the initiative just before Christmas with Duncan Hall, landlord of the Monkfield Arms in Broad Street.

The scheme is advertised behind the bar and customers who have had a drink can pick up a 10 per cent discount voucher for their taxi ride home.

Mr Cave, who has been in the taxi business for four years and set up a base in Cambourne a year ago, said on some journeys the discount could be bigger.

He said the scheme had proved popular with 40 call-outs from the pub on Saturday night. A total of 25 of these were people going home to Cambourne and 15 fares to Cambridge.

Both Mr Cave and Mr Hall believe the project has led to a reduction in drink-driving within the Cambourne area.

"Working as a taxi driver, covering late shifts I see drunk-drivers and feel very strongly about it. If this initiative can stop at least one drink-driver from getting behind the wheel then we could save a life," said Mr Cave.

It has also received praise from Cambridgeshire police's casualty reduction officer, Tony Barrios.

He said: "I imagine the pub staff and taxi drivers are in an excellent position to spot someone who might be tempted to drive-drink and help them get home.