It seems that the state government is trying to create legislative restrictions to shut down - or at least limit - the very popular " Booze Cruise " industry.
Bus operators are making a lot of money promoting what they also call " a motorised pub crawl ". Bus loads of patrons - usually men - laden with alcohol board buses that cruise the city and stop for a short time at various pubs, clubs and other night spots.
The objective seems to be to have a beer at the greatest number of venues visited, but the unstated objective is to get roaring, rippingly drunk ! The bus contains ice buckets to keep the alcohol taken aboard by passengers cool - and the drinking at and between stops is constant.
Health authorities could probably list a whole book of reasons why this can cause health problems, and anecdotal evidence exists of intrusions into public order. These buses do not have toilets, and it has been the custom for the bus to stop when someone calls for a " rest break ". All the men pile out - and relieve themselves. Often - this is against some householders front fence - or it may be "en masse " against the windows in a local shopping centre.
The government might be wise to consider both sides of the argument before they rush to implement legislation. If a group of people are determined to get disgustingly drunk it might be better if they are contained in a group - rather than scattered randomly across various venues and suburbs.
One of the definite advantages of these motorised pub crawls is the fact that they do not drive cars to get home. It seems part of the culture that at the end of the night the bus people drop them off outside their own homes.
As the law currently stands, anyone with a bus is entitled to provide this service - and make money from conducting a tour of drinking spots.Perhaps liaison with the bus people would be a better option, In place of draconian new laws it might be possible to curb the worst excesses - like including public toilets on the itinerary - rather than random stops anywhere when the patrons feel the need.
The aim of " moderation " would be more practical than an outright ban !
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