The national road safety organization said in a statement that almost 29,000 people had been driven home in their own cars by its volunteer chauffeurs, possibly averting a number of accidents.

The statement coincided with the final day of the Nez Rouge operation on Thursday.

Over the month of December more than 8,000 volunteers across the country provided a lift to those unable to drive themselves home.

Nez Rouge, which is now in its 25^th year of operation, said its services had never been in such great demand with people who had consumed a few drinks, were on medication or were too tired to drive themselves.

It said young people, who had always made good use of the service, had spread the word to older generations, accounting for the 13,481 separate journeys – an eight percent increase over 2013.

Nez Rouge said that mild weather at the beginning of December had helped its army of volunteers in their work. But some branches had had to close at the end of the month because of dangerous driving conditions.

Since 1990 Nez Rouge has undertaken 158,000 journeys, transporting 325,000 people home.