Enjoy Darlington - stay safe - think ahead

13 December 2021

We want everyone to have a great night out in Darlington so we've pulled together some useful advice and information to help you plan ahead for a safe night out https://www.enjoydarlington.co.uk/stay-safe.

This festive season please:

Pre-book your taxi well in advance
Be prepared for a longer wait at taxi ranks
Be a designated driver
Make sure you know the last bus and train times
Look out for each other - drink sensibly and be a good friend
Make sure your phone is charged
Be Covid-safe!

Have a great night out, enjoy Darlington and have a Merry Christmas!

Here’s some useful advice and information to help you plan ahead for a safe night out.

Pre-book your taxi well in advance

Avoid waiting around for lift home by pre-booking a taxi.

Ask for details of the car when making the booking.

Make sure the driver knows the destination and the name it was booked under when it arrives.

There are several taxi firms operating in the town as well as a number of independent drivers who advertise online.

Taxis in Darlington [external link].

Be prepared for a longer wait at taxi ranks

At busy times you may have to wait a while at taxi ranks.

The main taxi ranks in town are at Grange Road, Market Square and Bondgate.

Make sure your taxi is licensed

Licensed vehicles have private hire or hackney carriage licence plates.

Private hire vehicle and red taxis also have council door signs and hackney carriages have roof signs.

Ask to see the driver’s ID badge before you get in.

Don’t share personal information, other than your destination, with the driver.

Be a designated driver

Before your night out see one of your friends will be the designated driver – staying on soft drinks so they can give everyone a lift home.

Don’t forget to volunteer too! Never drink and drive – you’re not only breaking the law but putting yourself and others at risk.

Make sure you know the last bus and train times

Check bus and train timetables before you go out so you know what time you will need to head home.

Check Traveline for bus and train journey information [external link].

You can also plan your journey online or call 0871 200 22 33 (calls cost 12 pence per minute from landlines and mobiles) 7am-8pm.

Look out for each other - drink sensibly and be a good friend.

Make sure your phone is charged

If you need to contact friends or family or try to arrange a lift home you need to know your phone won’t run out of charge.

Getting help

Durham Police carry out regular patrols in the town centre and there are taxi marshals on duty at weekends at the Grange Road taxi rank.

In an emergency call 999.

For non-emergencies call 101.

Covid

Be aware of changing Covid rules and make sure you have a mask.

Coronavirus (COVID‑19) rules and guidance [external link]