‘It’s a start’: road safety advocate backs minimum drinking limit

The Barbados Road Safety Association (BRSA) has backed lawmakers raising the minimum age to buy or drink liquor from 16 to 18.

BRSA president Sharmane Roland-Bowen told Barbados TODAY that for many years the association has been lobbying for the minimum drinking age to be raised to 21. But although the limit is three years younger than suggested, she said the BRSA is satisfied that at least an effort has been made to raise it.

The House of Assembly on Tuesday passed a new Liquor Licences Bill under which anyone caught selling alcohol to those under 18 or encouraging them to become involved in the business of selling liquor to those under 18, can be charged and fined $10,000, up to five years in prison, or both.

The road safety advocate said that raising the limit was for the betterment of all in society, considering that 16-year-olds may not be responsible enough to make positive decisions about alcohol consumption.

Roland-Bowen said: “Sixteen is way too young. Eighteen at least is a start because you are a little bit more developed at this age. But ultimately, I personally would like to see it go up to age 21 because the brain is not fully developed until it reaches 21.

“But, it is a move in the right direction and we should be seeing some improvements on our roads where accidents are concerned because persons would be more aware of their capabilities when using the roads and not under the influence of alcohol. This has been a long time in coming and it is a start and we give them thumbs up for that.”

She said she believes that since the bill’s passage, some parents who are concerned about their children getting drunk are now breathing a sigh of relief that the risks of their children getting involved in dangerous activities and accidents could now be reduced.

But  Roland-Bowen said her only concern at this time is that business owners, event promoters and other stakeholders do what is necessary to ensure that the law is enforced. She suggested that in an effort for shop and bar owners and operators to be certain that they are selling alcohol to persons at the legal age, that they request to see picture identification.

The Liquor Licence Bill requires no age checks by alcohol sellers.

The BRSA president said: “I want it to be enforced. When is going to be the roll-out date? I know we have the breathalyzer legislation but the roll-out date hasn’t come for that as yet and it has not been implemented. But this doesn’t need anything before it can be implemented other than making sure that the person has a picture ID to make sure that they are who they say that they are.

“The age is really what qualifies them to purchase. We also hope that in establishments that they can drink on the spot like bars, that some responsibility is put on the owners of those establishments, and the persons serving the drinks. Don’t just let it be about money.

“If you know that some person has had enough, stop them, don’t sell them any more alcohol. If they leave there with a certain amount of sobriety they are more liable to come to your shop the next day and purchase again. But if you let them over-drink, they become intoxicated and you not only lose that sale, but also a customer for life.” (anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb)