Pubs not hurt by drink-drive limit Study says new law’s had little impact on businesses
A Stirling University study, published on Monday, claims lowering the drinkdrive limit in Scotland has had little longterm financial impact on pubs.
The Scottish Government introduced legislation to reduce the blood-alcohol concentration limit for drivers from 80 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL) to 50 mg/dL, in December, 2014.
It was feared that the change would deter people from going out for a drink and undermine pub profits.
Researchers spoke to 16 owners and managers of ontrade premises in Scotland in 2018 and examined impact on business profits, changes in customer drinking behaviour and practices, changes in customer travel and transport options and business adaptations.
Associate professor Dr Niamh Fitzgerald, who led the study, said: “This study found that businesses in the study had adapted to the change and reported little long-term economic impact. The findings are of international relevance as lower drink-drive limits are being considered in other countries, with debates including discussions around the impact on business.”
The study found some businesses reported a shortterm impact, lasting around six to 12 months, but profits returned to normal after this period.
Rural pubs in the study were more likely to report a negative economic impact, while urban foodled establishments were less likely to do so – as customers continued to eat out, switching alcohol for soft drinks.
There was a general belief that more people had stopped drinking alcohol if they had to drive. Those who contributed to the study felt that this change in behaviour had stemmed from the promotion of the drink-drive message that the `best advice is none’.
However, Paul Waterson, former chief executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, believes the Scottish Government “changed the drinking habits of the nation for no reason”.
Mr Waterson, owner of the Golden Lion Hotel, Stirling, writing in a national newspaper, said: “We now have the most severe (drinkdrive) rules in Europe. As a result people will not have half a pint on their way back from work while they wait for traffic to clear. You could have a soft drink and read your paper but it’s not the same.
“People just don’t go to pubs serving a roast lunch on a Sunday any more.
To say it (the new limit) has no effect on business is absolute nonsense.
“Meanwhile, there is no evidence of any reduction in accidents caused by the legal change.”