Where a hotel licensee takes possession of an intoxicated patron's vehicle and keys, knowing the patron is intoxicated and intends to drive, the licensee's duty of care extends to taking reasonable steps to prevent the patron from driving, including telephoning the patron's family or refusing to return the vehicle. The case does not establish a general duty on hoteliers to prevent intoxicated patrons from self-harm, but identifies specific circumstances — control over the means of transport, knowledge of intoxication, and involvement in arrangements for the patron's safe departure — that extend the scope of the duty.
The full text is available to signed-in members, including the 2 later cases that cite this judgment.