Southland Rugby supports Road Safety message

Southland rugby clubs have partnered with Road Safety Southland in a bid to reduce drinking and driving in our community.

This rugby season all Southland premier rugby players will feature the message "I don't drink-drive" on their jerseys.

Road Safety Southland community advisor of road safety Jane Ballantyne said Road Safety Southland has used many innovative ways to communicate its messages but this partnership with Southland rugby clubs has to be at the top.

The promotion recognised the clubs are in the ideal position to help change attitudes towards drinking and driving in Southland, she said.

Road Safety Southland is excited about this opportunity to work alongside rugby."

Pirates-Old Boys representative Geoff Ryan said Pirates-Old Boys are proud to be associated with Road Safety and hope that the drink driving message will be taken up by all club players and supporters in Southland.

All other clubs in the premier league also said they were proud to be associated with this road safety message.

Last year there were 10 fatal crashes on Southland roads in which 13 people were killed. Seven of the fatal crashes involved alcohol.