Two businesses have joined the fight against drinking and driving.

Burrows Lightbourn and Gosling's announced yesterday that they have become the latest sponsors of the Let Us Drive programme, aimed at reducing the number of drunk drivers.

The programme, organised by the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (CADA), provides 36 free taxis every Friday outside the LOM Building on Reid Street between 3:15 and 3:45 a.m.

By providing free taxis when many of Hamilton's bars close, the programme is designed to keep people who have had a few too many from getting behind the wheel.

With buses and ferries not operating late at night, individuals have limited options when it comes to travel, especially if they have been drinking, which is a real problem according to Richard Hartley, the managing director of Burrows Lightbourn.

"As there is currently no late-night public transportation available, services like this are necessary to provide a real and safe alternative to drinking and driving," said Mr. Hartley.

Gosling's managing director Charles Gosling said that the company was encouraged by the progress the programme has made over the last year. "We hope our participation will encourage others within the hospitality industry to play their part in supporting this and similar programmes," said Mr. Gosling.

By sponsoring the programme, both companies will be pooling their efforts alongside existing sponsors Bacardi, Bermuda Bistro at the Beach and the Fairmont Group.

CADA chairman Anthony Santucci praised the new sponsors and called for others to join the cause, adding: "Until Bermuda has public late-night transportation, which CADA will continue to lobby for, services like this are vital."