Loop News- Liquor License holders have been warned that they will soon face the brunt of Guyana’s law enforcement if they continue to flout provisions of the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Act 2022.
The warning comes from Attorney General Anil Nandlall as he expressed the government’s outrage about the carnage that has taken place on Guyana’s roadways recently as a result of drunk drivers.
“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 AG’s said in a statement from his chambers.
License owners are obliged to prevent any person who is drunk, violent, quarrelsome or disorderly from entering their premises.
Any license owner, who fails to adhere to their obligations, face a fine of GYD$100,000 for the first offence, and GYD$200,000 for a second offence.
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.
