Guyana government warns against drunk driving

CMC – The Guyana government Wednesday said it remains concerned at the “senseless deaths” caused by motorists being drunk while driving, hinting that it could move to charge liquor license holders, particularly bar owners, who continue to flout the provisions of the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Act 2022.

In a statement, the Office of the Attorney General said the government “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.”

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 said it is making “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”

While the statement did not indicate the number of deaths associated with drunk driving, it warned that 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 GUY$100,000 (One Guyana dollar=US$0.004 cents) for the first offence, and to GUY$200,000 for a second offence.

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

In addition, the legislation makes it an obligations not to sell, give or barter intoxicating liquor to a drunken person and 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”.

The legislation also makes it obligatory for the bar owner to make announcements at regular intervals on the premises that persons should not drink and drive.

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