Can a licensee take a suspected VIPs keys?
As it would probably seem appropriate to confiscate a patrons keys if he/she has had too much to drink, sanctions in the Pennsylvania Crimes Code deems this behavior illegal. This will follow along the same lines as taking someone’s property without their consent. If you ask a patron if you can have the keys and there is obvious consent from him or her, then there would be no problem with this. There are also ways to prevent drunk driving without detaining a patron and/or confiscating personal property. First, you can start by offering food and non-alcoholic beverages soda, coffee etc., in an attempt to “kill time”. If regardless of your best efforts the patron refuses the other options from you and insists on driving then it will be your responsibility to phone the police and document the incident.
