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STOPPED: Motorists will be prevented from buying hot drinks in some petrol stations.
Image by: David Richards |
The government’s road safety advice is being jeopardised by new licensing laws aimed at tacking unruly behaviour. Official government advice tells tired drivers to “drink two cups of coffee and have a rest for 10-15 minutes to allow for the caffeine to kick in.” But under new licensing laws forecourts will have to apply for a costly licence to sell hot food and drink between midnight and 5am.
The department for culture, media and sport says the provision of late night refreshment requires a licence “to protect local residents because the premises…can be used by customers who have been drinking…thereby creating the potential for disorder.”
But forecourt owners say serving hot food and drink over night simply does not cover the costs of the application, which includes a one-off fee of up to £635 and an annual renewal fee of up to £350. These fees are base on the rateable value of the property and not the turnover of the business so many forecourts are likely to fall into the top fee band.
RAC Foundation head of road safety Kevin Delaney said: “A hot drink late at night can be a lifesaver. Motorists are less likely to take a break if garages stop serving hot food and drinks at night, and may be more likely to fall asleep at the wheel.
“The foundation is writing to the secretary of state for media, culture and sport calling on the government to introduce an exemption so that forecourt stores can continue to provide this important community service. Tired motorists must have access to a hot coffee to fight fatigue.”
Driver fatigue is responsible for 10 per cent of road casualties each year and drivers are particularly vulnerable between midnight and 7am. Road accidents resulting from sleepiness are more likely to result in death and serious injury as drivers fail to break prior to impact.
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