How Bartenders And A Host Can Prevent Impaired Driving

Michael Root

I was talking to a someone a few years ago about the seriousness of drunk driving in the nigtclub & bar industry. He told me three things that stuck with me and convinced me that, as a bartender and by being an active part of this industry, I am also an active part of the problem of drinking and driving.

40-50% of all drivers killed on Canadian roads were impaired at the time of the accident. (These people would probably be alive if they hadn’t been drinking and driving.)

Half of all alcohol related traffic accidents occur between 11 pm and 3 pm. (Last call)

In North America it is estimated that 1-5 drivers has been drinking and 1 in 10 is legally impaired on any Friday or Saturday night. (Our biggest nights...next time you’re driving on a Friday or Saturday night, start counting cars and do the math.)

I don’t know where he got these statistics, but his points and mine are:

Drunk driving is a serious problem.

As a bartender, server, bar manager etc. We are involved.

We can do something about it.

ALCOHOL AWARENESS - WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Ways to help prevent drunk driving:

Suggest that the patron leave his or her car keys with the manager, who will ensure that the car is not towed away.

Offer to call a cab.

Offer to call a friend or relative who will agree to drive the customer home.

Encourage sober friends to drive the guest home.

Promote a designated driver program.

Install a taxi phone and/or have parking stalls reserved outside the main door for them.

Promote the safe ride program offered in your city...or start your own.

Encourage staff awareness.

If the patron refuses all of the above suggestions and still insists that he is not too intoxicated to drive home, inform your manager of the efforts you have made to provide alternative transportation. Your manager might intervene and inform the patron that the police may have to be called. This can be done anonymously, but this threat must be made with the full intention of following through if necessary.

WHY SHOULD WE GO TO ALL THIS TROUBLE TO PREVENT DRINKING AND DRIVING?

MORAL OBLIGATION

As a bartender or server you are involved and you have a moral obligation to take care of the people you serve and profit from. When people drink, they lose the ability to make good decisions as well as their reflexes and you help them get that way. You also have an obligation to protect innocent people from any harm the customer you over served might cause before he/she sobers up. A little effort on your part can really make a difference. How would you feel if one of your customers drove drunk and killed a woman and her baby?

LEGAL OBLIGATION

If you don’t agree that you have a moral obligation (and some people don’t), read on. In North America when a lawsuit is filed against a bar or restaurant and over service is the claim, the bartender or server will be personally liable also. It happens. Check your local liquor laws or ask your police. YOU can be held PERSONALLY responsible.