Only three young volunteers step up to prevent drunk driving on New Year's Eve

In the United Kingdom, Avanti West Coast train managers announced strike actions after a new offer aimed at addressing a dispute over rest day working was rejected. The RMT union, representing around 400 train managers, stated that 83% of its members voted against the company's revised offer, which included higher payments for working on rest days and better shift allocation. As a result, train managers will partake in strikes starting on New Year's Eve and continuing onto January 2, with additional strikes planned every Sunday from January 12 to May 25. Avanti West Coast expressed disappointment at the union's decision and warned customers of significant disruptions to services along the West Coast Main Line during the extended strike period, affecting travel from London to Scotland and other regions. The ongoing industrial action in the UK rail sector, involving both the RMT and Aslef unions since mid-2022, is primarily driven by demands for improved pay and working conditions in the face of staff shortages and increasing operational demands. In a related effort, Responsible Young Drivers in Roeselare faced a decrease in volunteer participation for their free New Year's Eve ride program, with only three volunteers stepping up. The organization highlights a trend since the coronavirus crisis that has discouraged young people from volunteering to prevent drunk driving, leaving them unable to fully assist an increasing number of requests for rides. Young volunteers emphasize their commitment to road safety and their desire to help intoxicated individuals get home safely, with a call for more participants to support this essential service.