GUYANA-Government warns against drunk driving.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, 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 defy 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 complied with their obligations imposed under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Act.”

Under the Act, license holders are mandated to impose obligations on drivers at their establishments and must play a more active role in preventing drinking and driving.

The government said it is making “an appeal at this moment 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 do not comply with their obligations under the Amendment Act would 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 offense and to GUY$200,000 for a second offense.

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 obligation 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 an intoxicated 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.