BOSSES in Bolton will be offered free courses on the dangers of drinking and driving.

Representatives from the first 30 businesses to apply for the scheme run by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents will be offered a free place on courses to be held early this year.

The aim is to give them facts and figures which can be used to help employees not to drive when they may still have alcohol in their bodies.

Charles Davis, RoSPA head of driver and fleet solutions, said: "Christmas is the time when the drink-drive threat is highlighted most, but it is a problem which is with us all year round.

"If someone is caught drinking and driving it can have catastrophic effects both on the individuals concerned and businesses.

"Innocent people may be killed or injured, employees may well lose their jobs and employers face the costly business of replacing experienced staff."

RoSPA runs one-day courses for employees to learn more about issues such as the strength of different types of alcoholic drink and how little it takes to be over the limit.

It is not only aimed at fleet drivers, as other employees who use their car to commute may not be able to get to work if they are banned.

Research has shown that drivers do not perceive "morning-after-motoring" as being as dangerous as "same-day" drinking. Company drivers are more likely than private motorists to see driving after drinking heavily the night before as less dangerous.

Charles Davis added: "With between 800 and 1,000 deaths on Britain's roads in some way work-related, it is important that employers take road safety seriously."

Employers wishing to have a chance of one of the free places should contact Donna Grady on 0121 248 2124 or email Drop a line...dgrady@rospa.com.

Places will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.