by Jeremy Allen
Lausanne - 23 December 2008 | 11:00
The end of the year is a time when there are many office parties, and during such Christmas celebrations it is easy to have one drink too many or succumb to fatigue. For this reason, until New Year’s day, the foundation “Nez Rouge” (red nose) offers a free service enabling you to be driven home in your own car by volunteers.
The Nez Rouge concept originated in Canada and was set up in this country in 1990 with the aim of reducing driving accidents around Christmas and New Year. It now covers the majority of Switzerland’s cantons with the exception of Grisons, Basel-country and the upper region of Valais.
Nez Rouge imposes no distance limits (provided the trip remains in Switzerland); if journeys stretch over two or more cantons, different volunteers take over driving duties. There is no charge for the service but tips are gratefully received and go to charity. English speaking drivers are also on hand.
The service is not dominated by blind drunk revellers. “We have noticed that it’s not the people who are falling over drunk, it’s usually drivers who have perhaps had one drink too many and don’t want to drive,” Fähndrich told Swisster and added that cases of aggression are rare.
