/ 18 July 2007

Safe Swiss drivers rewarded with chocolate

A Swiss police force on Wednesday handed out bars of chocolate to motorists in an attempt to encourage safe driving habits.

The one-day “Thank You” campaign targeted clean motorists stopped during routine roadside checks, following a rash of serious road offences this year in the western Fribourg region, cantonal police said in a statement.

Drivers who emerged from the checks on Wednesday with a clean sheet were rewarded with the chocolate, while those who were on the wrong side of the law were promised full penalties.

About 3 500 roadside checks were carried out by Fribourg police in the first six months of the year. At least 830 drivers were prosecuted for speeding, drunk driving or licence offences. — AFP