Mr Foo said bar owners can also remind their customers of the penalties for drink driving, which were raised in 2019 to reflect the seriousness of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
First-time offenders can be fined up to S$10,000 (US$7,400) or sentenced up to a year in jail, or face both punishments. They can also be disqualified from driving for a minimum period of two years.
The legal alcohol limit is 35mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath, or 80mg of alcohol for every 100ml of blood.
COULD INCENTIVES WORK?
Aside from raising awareness, some valet providers said more can be done to incentivise bars and nightclubs to ensure their patrons do not drink and drive.
Ms Rajvinder Kaur, owner of Valet 4 U, said she hopes for such services to be regulated by authorities.
“Maybe the government can work with the bars and KTVs (karaokes), these nightlife establishments, on how to regulate such valet services. Maybe there (can be) some cash back for the bars or KTVs, if let’s say (they) engage the valet services on behalf of their customers,” she added.
Ms Kaur said that her business offers “a small incentive” to staff at bars and clubs who help customers call for their services.
“It’s a win-win situation. Their customers will still have their (driving) licence, they can always come back to drink, and then (the staff) also earn a bit of incentive. We also get new customers,” she added.
Even with all these measures in place, nightlife operators say the onus is ultimately on customers to ensure that they stay safe while enjoying their night out.
Mr Foo cautioned that drivers should remember it is not whether they will be caught drink-driving, but when they will be caught.
“I think the bigger problem is really stubborn customers. Some people just want to drive and take the risk personally,” he added.
