Valets may hold the keys

There is no question that bad judgment by runners for valet services can contribute to tragedies. Consalvo cited the case of Northeastern University graduate Andrew Prior, who was killed in 2010 by a drunken driver who told police that he was “blackout drunk’’ and incredulous that a valet attendant had provided him with his keys. To prevent such tragedies, Consalvo wants valets to receive the same kind of training now given to bartenders and waitstaff to recognize signs of intoxication. Consalvo also envisions that a supervisor, not the runner, would make the determination on whether to withhold a person’s car keys.

Yet any ordinance must recognize the limitations of a valet’s role. Runners, who are often quite young, get much of their pay from tips in exchange for a quickly delivered car; even after a training session, they will have only a tiny window to assess a patron’s sobriety, especially when a throng of other customers are waiting. While in a rush, valets might easily mistake a physical impairment - such as a limp or speech impediment - for inebriation.

In any case, Consalvo was right to seek a City Council hearing on the subject. Valet companies want guidance. Some services already withhold the keys from customers who appear intoxicated. Others don’t. City attorneys will need to determine what, if any, responsibility or liability now exists on the part of valet parkers before determining if a new law is warranted.