News item | 09-12-2024 | 06:00
New videos and a new slogan: the Bob campaign has a new look. Today, Minister Barry Madlener (Infrastructure and Water Management) will be at the kick-off, which takes place every year in the festive month of December.
The campaign kick-off is on Monday evening, December 9 at 5:30 PM, during a regular alcohol check at the Yp in The Hague.
Minister Madlener: “We all know those yellow Bob letters. I think the Bob campaign is the most successful campaign of the central government, because it makes people think in a positive way about something very important: be sober behind the wheel. Unfortunately, in recent years we have seen an increase in the number of drivers under the influence. That is why I think it is good that Bob has been given a different look this year: hopefully this will make Bob a topic of conversation again, which will make people more aware of the risks.”
New numbers, new look
Until now, the Bob campaign has mainly been about normalizing the Bob: when you go somewhere by car, one of the occupants always remains sober. People were encouraged to agree in advance who that would be, and later to say out loud to others that they are the Bob.
This year Bob is taking a new turn: the message now is mainly to persevere. Because everyone knows it: sometimes it is difficult to shout over the music that you are Bobt, sometimes you come somewhere where alcohol is suddenly served unexpectedly. A flash poll published today by PanelWizard Direct shows that 30% of Bobs are regularly tempted to drink alcohol. 25% of Bobs say they get funny comments when they don’t drink.
The same poll shows that more than 20% of Bobs believe their efforts deserve more recognition. This can be done with a simple thank you, but also by paying the parking costs, for example. At the same time, 70% of the Bobs are already thanked, mainly in words.
Risks
After years of decline, the share of drivers driving under the influence is increasing again: from 1.4% in 2017 to 2.6% in 2022. Alcohol use remains responsible for 12-23% of fatalities. Drivers with an alcohol content of 1.0‰ in their blood are five times more likely to have an accident, while at 1.5‰ the risk is more than twenty times greater.
Program
The campaign kick-off takes place during a regular alcohol check. Motorists who get through this successfully are put in the spotlight: they can drive along the yellow carpet through the large ‘Top, you remain Bob!’ trap, accompanied by festive music. The event is decorated with, among other things, Christmas trees, a DJ car and Bob bar.
Present include the police, Veilig Verkeer Nederland, The Hague mobility councilor Arjen Kapteijns and Minister Madlener. The Bob campaign is an initiative of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the campaign partners. These are provinces, municipalities, Veilig Verkeer Nederland, TeamAlert, police, Ministry of Justice and Security, CBR and Public Prosecution Service.
Did you know:
- When giving a round, Bob is also considered in 83% of the cases?
- Only 27.5% of respondents try to avoid the Bob role? This is mainly done by proposing to take a taxi or public transport.
- Do men toast the Bob more often than women?
- Do you want to tempt men and young people to drink more often?
- Bobs pass on their offered drinks in 70% of cases and refuse them in 46% of cases? Women in particular often leave their drinks alone.