Driving forces
Can pubs do more to prevent their customers from drink-driving? Daniel Pearce reports.
Did any of your customers have a drink or two extra before they drove away from your pub last weekend? If they did, were they even aware that they were a unit or two over the limit? And could you have done anything to stop them?
Licensees were hit with a new wave of criticism earlier this month, with a report alleging they are not doing enough to let drinkers know how much they are putting away.
The YouGov study was just the latest to allege that too many pub customers simply don't know how much they are drinking, because they are out of touch with both the drink-drive limits and the size of the measures they are being served.
According to research carried out for Churchill Car Insurance as many as 21 million motorists don't know that pubs and bars now regularly serve larger measures. Only one in five regular drinkers know what size the standard glass of wine is in the pub they are in, while just one in 10 spirits drinkers know the standard serving.
A study from the RAC last year made similar criticisms of licensees - alleging that 80 per cent of drivers were unaware of what the legal limit actually was.
With the annual figures on drink-driving due out before the end of the month, the issue is again bound to feature at the party conferences this autumn.
Large or small?
Many licensees are already well aware of their role in putting the brakes on drink-driving.
Yvonne Ward, licensee at the Brown Cow in rural Ackworth, near Pontefract in Yorkshire, is used to taking car keys from regulars.
"I have personally taken keys from customers who are capable of walking home," she says. "But I know most of my customers, so I feel able to take liberties with them."
Ms Ward adds that when she increased her spirits measures to 35ml she put tent-cards on the tables and bar to let customers know - and there is still a large sign in the bar informing them of this fact.
Bob Senior, managing director of Newcastle-based chain Ultimate Leisure - which operates 23 bars in city centre locations as well as five nightclubs - agreed that the trade had an important role to play in preventing drink-driving.
But he warns: "We can't accept responsibility for individual actions. If a glass of wine is put in front of a customer it's quite obvious whether it's large or small. The only area where there could be confusion is when a measure of spirits is in with a mixer or the drink is disguised."
Drinks watchdog The Portman Group says there is more than one way in which customers are becoming confused.
"Licensees have an obligation to make the size of their servings clear," says David Poley, director of compliance and good practice.
"It is difficult to know whether a spirits serving is 25ml or 35ml - and some people might think of 175ml as a regular glass of wine, but years ago it used to be a large."
The group has won great support among pubs for its "I'll be Des" designated driver scheme.
"The more that pubs can do to communicate these messages, the more helpful it is," continues Mr Poley. "But ultimately it is up to the customer to keep track of his or her own drinking. Publicans cannot be expected to tot up the units for them."
Brewers' backing
The Campaign Against Drink-Driving (CADD) was set up in 1985 to provide support for families of victims killed or injured by drink-drivers.
John Sparrow, the administrator for CADD, believes licensees are generally doing a responsible job. But the brewers and pub companies could do more to help them, he contends, by financing inducements for designated drivers.
"There have been all sorts of incentives, such as giving drinkers a free pint next time if they abstain, but they cost the licensee money," he says.
"A lot of pubs have got the message now. A few weeks ago I had a call from a country pub offering drinkers a free lift home - obviously not many pubs can offer that sort of service though."
Meanwhile, in Leicester, pubs are promoting the drink-drive message with petitions - calling for tougher sentences for drink-drivers - following a local tragedy.
Not only are the petitions uniting customers behind the issue, but from their position on the bar they may also cause drinkers to think twice before ordering that second or third glass and then driving home.
Licensees across the country are serious about tackling the drink-driving issue, and they are doing so in a variety of different ways. Yet the majority of respondents to last week's poll on thePublican.com - more than five out of 10 - suggested publicans could still do more to tackle this issue. Clearly there are plenty of ways in which this can be achieved.
How can pubs stop drink-driving?
- Confiscate car keys:
possible for community pubs but not for high street venues - Offer free soft drinks:
a nice idea in principle, and one recommended by the British Institute of Innkeeping - but not an easy one to apply for a struggling pub, which may be relying on higher-margin soft drink sales - Provide breath test machines:
pubs have been warned not to install these machines. If anyone believes themselves to be fit to drive after using one, and then has an accident, the courts could transfer the blame to the licensee - Promote The Portman Group's "I'll be Des" designated driver initiative:
free licensees' packs are available on 020 7907 3700, or email info@portmangroup.org.uk - Offer an incentive, such as a free pint next time:
when the designated driver buys only soft drinks - Offer more information on drinks:
through posters, beer mats or tent-cards on the bar.
