Charges for bar owners as Gov’t sounds alarm over ‘senseless deaths’ caused by drunk drivers

The Attorney General Chambers on Wednesday issued a stern warning against liquor license holders, particularly bar owners, who continue to flout the provisions of the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Act 2022.

The warning came even the government sounded its alarm over the high number of senseless deaths on the roadways caused by drunk drivers.

Under the Act, licence holders are mandated to impose obligations on drivers at their establishments and are required to play a more active role in the prevention of drinking and driving.

“The Government of Guyana continues to be concerned with the senseless deaths on our roadways which, many times, are attributable to drunken driving.

“Unfortunately, based upon reports and complaints received, it appears that license holders, particularly bar owners, have not been in compliance with their obligations imposed under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Act.

“An appeal is hereby made to such bar owners to play their part in the promotion of the public good and the preservation of a safe society, free from drunken driving,” the statement from the Attorney General Chamber noted.

Bar owners who are not in compliance with their obligations under the Amendment Act, will be charged and prosecuted.

The Act was amended to increase the fines for breach of the obligations by the license holder to $100,000 for the first offence, and to $200,000 for a second offence.

The amended Act makes it mandatory for a license holder to refuse to admit any person who is drunk, violent, quarrelsome or disorderly into his licensed premises.

Some other obligations imposed on the license holder include:

(a) Not permitting drunkenness or any violent, quarrelsome, or riotous conduct

to take place on his premises;

(b) Not to sell, give or barter intoxicating liquor to a drunken person;

(c) Not to allow another person [for example an employee or servant] to sell, give

or barter intoxicating liquor to a drunken person;

(d) Not to sell, give or barter intoxicating liquor to a person he knows is likely to

leave the premises by driving unless that person has identified another person

to be the designated driver of the motor vehicle;

(e) Not to sell, give or barter intoxicating liquor to any person identified as a

designated driver;

(f) To inform the nearest police station and request their immediate assistance in

cases where he knows that a drunken person is attempting to drive or is in

charge of a motor vehicle on the road or other public place;

(g) Post signs that discourage drinking and driving at conspicuous places on the

licensed premises;

(h) Ensure that announcements are made at regular intervals on the premises that

persons should not drink and drive.