A Glasgow truck stop has been refused permission to sell alcohol following concerns raised by councillors that doing so could contribute to drink-driving by HGV drivers. The decision by Glasgow City Council’s licensing board highlights the weight that licensing authorities place on road safety considerations, and the way in which licensing law can operate as a preventative tool.
The application
Patersons of Greenoakhill applied for a premises licence for the diner at Route 74 Truck Stop on London Road, Glasgow. The applicants, described as experienced licensees with a previous track record at a similar site in Lesmahagow, said they wished to offer a modest range of alcohol to customers, including overnight-staying drivers who might wish to have “a couple of beers with dinner” before returning to their vehicles to sleep and departing the following day. Around a quarter of the restaurant’s customers were said to be members of the general public, and the applicants noted that alcohol availability is standard practice at many truck stops across the United Kingdom.
The concerns raised
Councillors on the licensing board were not persuaded. Cllr Alex Wilson raised the central concern directly, asking: “Technically some truck driver can pop into this restaurant, consume a large amount of alcohol, or any alcohol, and is then able to get back in his truck in the morning and drive away?”
The applicants responded that drivers are subject to restrictions on the number of hours they may drive each day, that they would be on the premises for a significant period, and that drivers’ professionalism could be relied upon. Cllr Wilson remained unconvinced, noting that there is no definitive period after which alcohol can be guaranteed to have left a person’s system and that drivers could potentially depart with alcohol still present, creating a risk of accidents.
The board refused the application in accordance with the licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder, securing public safety, and improving public health.
A reminder about drink-driving and the morning after
This case also serves as a useful reminder of a point that is frequently misunderstood. Alcohol consumed during the evening does not necessarily clear a person’s system by the following morning. The rate at which the body processes alcohol varies between individuals and is affected by a range of factors. There is no reliable rule of thumb that guarantees a driver will be under the legal limit after a set number of hours.
In England and Wales, the legal limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. Drivers who consume alcohol the night before an early morning start are not automatically safe to drive, and a conviction for drink-driving carries a mandatory disqualification of at least 12 months, a criminal record, and in some cases a custodial sentence.
Professional drivers face additional consequences, including the potential loss of their vocational licence and, with it, their livelihood.
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.
Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535, or click here to send a confidential message.
