Alcohol-related road accidents to be curbed by stiffer penalties, measures

Government has tabled the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Bill 2022, geared at implementing an important legislative step to minimise alcohol-related road accidents and fatalities through the.

The Bill was introduced into the National Assembly where it was read for the first time on Monday. It was revealed that it expands on the definition of drunken person. The bill requires liquor store owners to exercise better judgement when selling alcohol to persons who may manifest behaviours commonly associated with liquor intoxication.

It was revealed that once debated and passed into law, the amended Act will require liquor stores to discourage drinking and driving, by refraining from selling alcohol to drunken persons who are likely to drive after leaving the business place.

As such, the sale of alcohol to a designated driver will also be prohibited. Additionally, liquor store owners will be required to report to the police any person who is intoxicated and attempts to drive or is in charge of a vehicle.

Further, the Bill proposes increased fines for breaching its provisions, ranging from $100,000 on the first offence to $200,000 for the second offence.

It was noted that currently, the law stipulates a $4,000 fine for the first offence, and $10,000 for the second offence.

Therefore, in a bid to protect minors from consuming alcohol, the Bill requires liquor stores to verify the age of patrons prior to their entry into the establishment.

The government disclosed that harsher penalties are also proposed for any holder of a liquor license who employs a minor to supply, sell or assist in the sale of alcohol.

As such, first time offenders will pay $500,000 and $600,000 to $1M for subsequent offences. It was disclosed that back in March, President Irfaan Ali first touted stricter regulations to curb drinking and driving while addressing the Annual Police Officers’ Conference.

The President had stated that he regularly engages families of persons who would have lost their lives due to drunk driving.

Ali had called for the issue to be taken seriously. It was pointed out that in 2021, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) recorded a 32 per cent reduction in road fatalities.

However, this year, the GPF recorded a 9.5 per cent reduction in road fatalities from January 1 to March 8, when compared to the same period in 2021.