London Is Making Customers Take Breathalyzer Tests Before Entering Pubs
In an attempt to reduce drunken violence, London is experimenting with forcing potential customers to have their breath tested for alcohol levels before being allowed to go into pubs. It’s being tried at 76 different drinking establishments, and so far the authorities are calling the results promising. Pub owners are reporting a decrease in violent arguments since the testing began.
The idea behind the testing is to identify those who have been guzzling cheap supermarket wine and then arriving at pubs already intoxicated. The breath testing program, which is completely voluntary for the pubs, is now going to be expanded to other parts of the UK. While some pub owners don’t want to participate and feel it’s bad for business, many others welcome the program.
While the measures may seem like something out of “1984,” the police point out that budgets are being cut, and this is a way to stop violence before it happens. The police could use their limited resources more efficiently by preventing several crimes as opposed to dealing with drunken brawls after they occur.
