Three months after the entry into force of the new Highway Code, the Italian catering sector is experiencing a dramatic moment, with an impressive drop in the consumption of alcoholic beverages. A survey carried out on a sample of 20,000 restaurateurs revealed that 59% of them recorded a drop in turnover, highlighting a worrying drop in takings.

Despite the fact that the blood alcohol limits have remained unchanged, the combination of the new law, the tightening of penalties, and a hammering campaign to demonise alcohol consumption have generated a strong perception of risk among customers. This perception has had a direct impact on the behaviour of consumers, who have not only reduced alcohol consumption in restaurants, but have simply decided to stay at home.

If I were in government, I would not underestimate this phenomenon.

Italy is a country dotted with historic centres and small villages, places that attract weekend visitors just to enjoy a typical lunch, sip a good glass of wine and enjoy walks among the architectural and natural beauty. Living in the Abruzzo hinterland, I can testify to the dramatic effects of the depopulation of our small municipalities. The last remaining heroes are precisely them: the restaurateurs and producers of typical specialities such as wine, oil and cheese. Without their resilience, most small villages would die. But it is crucial to understand that the death of small towns is not just a local problem, but a threat to the entire cultural identity of Italy.

Well, I come to the point. Let me be clear, it is very right and sacrosanct to take care of road safety. So, in this respect, Salvini has done something useful for once. But how to save the economy of historic centres and, therefore, Italian cultural identity? The solution exists and it is also very simple: it is called Uber.

Many Italians are not familiar with it, trivially, because it does not exist here (or rather it has been rendered completely ineffective as it is only available to licence holders). And yet, those who usually travel are familiar with Uber and similar services and are enthusiastic about them, as they represent safe and affordable transport solutions for customers (usually only a few euros are needed for a ride), thus reconciling the need for safety and the economic sustainability of the sector.

These are the carpooling services that originated in the United States and have since spread all over the world (alas, except in Italy) fostering mobility, new jobs and economic growth. This platform connects private drivers, who are partners in the service, to users looking for a way to reach their destinations. Using a free mobile application, users can request a ride and receive real-time information on the driver’s arrival and the cost of the service. They can choose the type of car and even leave a tip if they found the service to their liking. Once they arrive at their destination, the amount of the ride is charged to the user’s account, according to the payment method selected at the time of booking. Easy, democratic, modern. But not for Italians. This system is a convenient and flexible solution for getting around safely and without the thought of driving, particularly useful for those who want to enjoy a drink during an evening.

But why don’t we have Uber in Italy? Easy. Because there is a lobby, that of the taxi drivers, that holds an entire country hostage, supported by a clientelistic policy with which it has made an unholy pact that, so far, no one has managed to undermine. And who should be in charge of liberalising the transport sector? Also easy. Always him, the one behind the new Highway Code: Matteo Salvini.

Allowing the use of ride-sharing apps would give consumers the freedom to enjoy a glass of wine without fear of penalties, while promoting a culture of responsibility and safety.

But a policy subservient to business interests is preventing the modernisation of the country and is literally killing our historical centres and thus the entire Italian cultural heritage(but wasn’t this the government of the patriots?).

In order not to piss off a few tens of thousands of licence holders, they prefer to jeopardise our wine and food tradition and the economy of small towns. What if this time it was the restaurateurs who were pissed off, perhaps, along with the other 59 million people who claim to live in a free and modern country? In the coming weeks, together with our friends at L’Europeista, we will launch a petition (‘Uber for common drinking’) in favour of competition and to free Italy from the lobbies that prevent safe and accessible mobility services for everyone, even those who want to treat themselves to a drink.