Press releases
17/10/2002 : Pernod Ricard signs a charter to promote sober driving amongst students.
Paris, 17 October 2002 - Pernod Ricard and its French subsidiaries have decided to implement, in conjunction with the Department of Roads and Traffic Safety in France, a partnership to focus on promoting anti-drink driving measures. This is supported by a campaign which uses the slogan "celui qui conduit, c'est celui qui ne boit pas" ("the one who's driving, is the one who isn't drinking"). Isabelle Massin, the inter-ministerial delegate from the Department of Roads and Traffic safety and Patrick Ricard, Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard, have signed the charter.
The Pernod Ricard companies in France are going to set up a high profile programme in nightclubs and bars where their brands are marketed and consumed which will include posters, information leaflets and key rings, as well as the distribution of free breathalyzers. Non-alcoholic drinks will be freely available for designated drivers who will be identified by a bracelet. At student nights, organisers will be offered the opportunity to set up systems to recognise drivers, to facilitate car sharing and even to arrange lifts home, with the assistance of specialised companies.
Patrick Ricard said, "Recognition of the risks related to the consumption of our products is one of our responsibilities and is a key element in our efforts to promote sensible consumption in all parts of the world. I am convinced that increased effort on the part of all of our subsidiaries to prevent drink-driving will contribute to permanently changing behaviour, particularly amongst young people."
"We also wish to be actively involved in the big push to reduce road rage and to respond to the recent request for action which was made by the public authorities."
At the same time, Ricard and Pernod are enforcing a corporate programme to prevent danger on the roads, aimed at their own workforce and more particularly at their 1,000 sales people and company car users.
Contacts
Alain-Serge Delaitte / Media Tel: (33) 1 41 00 40 95
