PRESS RELEASE

1 June2014

Don't let your World Cup end in penalties, says GEM Motoring Assist

• Road safety organisation encourages fans to plan their late-night journeys home if they're heading out to watch a match.

ROAD SAFETY ANDbreakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is issuing advice to help football fans put safety first during the forthcoming World Cup matches in Brazil. Many of the matches, such as England's first fixture against Italy (Friday 13 June), kick off late and will last into the small hours, so it's important for fans watching in the pub or with friends to ensure everyone gets home safely.

GEM chief executive David Williams MBE says: "We're urging fans to plan how they get home if they're going out to watch a match. Pre-book a taxi, or share lifts and agree a designated driver who will stay on soft drinks.

"Be careful when walking home. Pedestrians who have had a few drinks are at greater risk; alcohol impairs judgement and reduces the ability to judge speed and distance. It can also increase willingness to take risks, often resulting in pedestrians stumbling into the road and being hit by drivers who have no chance of avoiding them.

"We'll be cheering for England in Brazil, and we certainly don't want to spoil anyone's enjoyment of the football. However, we are committed to helping reduce the risks of injury faced by pedestrians who may have had one drink too many, so we encourage fans to look out for each other and get home safely."

Stay safe

GEM has the following safety tips to ensure safe enjoyment of the World Cup:

• Many matches kick off late and will last into the small hours, so if you're walking home from the pub late at night, make sure you can be seen by drivers and riders.

• Never let mates walk home drunk on their own.

• If you're going out to watch the football, then pre-book your taxi home, or share lifts and agree a designated driver for each match.

• If you need to drive home, don't take any risks and stay on soft drinks while you're out.

• If you have a few late night drinks at home, then don't plan to drive the following morning as you could still be over the drink-drive limit.

Avoid the penalties

Anyone convicted of drink-driving faces a mandatory ban of at least 12 months, with a fine of up to £5,000 and a possible prison sentence of up to six months.

Follow GEM on Twitter @MotoringAssist for the latest industry news.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors: 

GEM Motoring Assist provides two levels of recovery service; Recovery EXTRA and Recovery RECLAIM, to suit all needs and pockets. All GEM policies also include free Accident Management, so members are also fully covered in this area. 

GEM provides a unique, comprehensive and competitively-priced Roadside Assistance and Vehicle Recovery Service. GEM has also been voted number one for Breakdown Cover in the 2013, 2011, 2010 and 2008 Auto Express Driver Power Survey, and runners-up in 2012 and 2009. 

GEM Motoring Assist is a trading name of The Guild of Experienced Motorists, established in 1932, as an independent driver-based road safety association. GEM's aim is to improve safety for all road users through the sponsorship and initiation of accident prevention measures throughout the UK and to provide motoring and safety information to its own members. Member benefits include a quarterly magazine, free literature and advice and discounts on insurances and other services. 

Press information: David Williams MBE, Chief Executive of GEM Motoring Assist, is available for comment on 01342-825676 (office) or 07711450560 (mobile).  David Williams was awarded the MBE in 1998 for services to road safety. Alternatively you can emailpress@motoringassist.comfor any further information.