hefty fines for violations, aim to reduce alcohol-related accidents
BAR owners have been cautioned by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) that violations of the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Act 2022 may result in the cancellation of their licences.
The GPF also reminded bar owners of their important duties to maintain public safety and order under the Act. To create a safe society for everybody, this proactive action strives to reduce alcohol-related occurrences, particularly traffic accidents, which can sometimes result in fatalities.
The Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Act of 2022, which governs the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, imposes several duties on bar owners to prevent misuse of alcohol.
Sergeant Richard Trotz, of the Traffic Headquarters, stated this week, on radio Eve Leary, that with the increase in traffic accidents and their sad societal effects, it is the police’s responsibility to inform the public about new regulations and revisions to existing ones. He explained that the Act mandates responsible service, in that, bar owners and staff are trained in responsible service practices.
This includes recognising signs of intoxication and refusing service to visibly intoxicated individuals. “Bar owners or persons who own liquor establishments… they have a responsibility to ensure that if a person is consuming alcohol at their establishment… that the person has a designated driver.
“That if the person asks [for more alcohol] in a drunken state, he/she shall be told to desist from this behaviour and they should be cut off from having more alcohol,” he explained.
According to him, over-serving alcohol not only endangers the individual but also poses a risk to others through increased likelihood of accidents and violent incidents. He said that while investigating accidents, police have found that some persons were at bars imbibing before getting behind the wheel.
Where the licence holder knows that a drunken person is attempting to drive or is in charge of a motor vehicle, he must inform the nearest police station and request their immediate assistance.
Sergeant Trotz advised: “You have to consume alcohol responsibly because you have to ensure that there is a designated driver. And if you drink, you drink below the limit of (35 micrograms).”
Speaking specifically to bar owners, Sergeant Trotz emphasised: “You being the owner of the establishment, your employee should also know of their responsibilities. Also, they [the employees] should not be under the age of 18 selling alcohol or operating at the establishment.”
He, therefore, urged bar owners to provide their staff with the requisite knowledge/training, noting that the “sole responsibility” is placed on the person (s) who owns the establishment.
The cop further reminded that one of the primary responsibilities under the Act is the strict enforcement of age restrictions. Bar owners must verify that patrons are of legal drinking age, typically 18. This can be achieved through valid identification checks, such as driver’s licences or passports.
Moreover, he said that a licence holder is also now required to conspicuously post signs and ensure that announcements are made, on the premises that discourage drinking and driving.
“Let us be responsible citizens. Let us be our brother’s keeper, our sister’s keeper. Let us try to do the right thing,” he said, urging compliance with the Act for safer communities.
Sergeant Trotz pointed out that the police remain committed to supporting bar owners in this endeavour and as such, ranks conduct daily lectures at liquor establishments.
Under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Act, the government has expanded the duties placed on owners of bars and clubs. Breach of the Act could see the licence holder being fined $100,000 for a first offence, and from $200,000-$500,000 for a second offence.
