Back before mp3s, even before CDs, Cyndi Lauper sang "Girls Just Wanna Have
Fun." Boys too.
Alcohol is a time honored part of that fun. Toby Keith
gets it: "Red Solo cup. I fill you up. Lets have a party."
A
couple of recent high-profile fatal drunk-driving accidents in Nashville are
reminders to restaurant and bar owners to re-examine the delicate tension
betweeen consumers wanting to drink to intoxication, with the fact that drunk
driving can be lethal.
This weekend, The Tennessean featured a
story about restaurant and bar liability at this link. In the article, I summarize the basic legal
duties for alcohol service by restaurants and bars.
Owners are forced to
balance a fine line between being a place for folks to have fun, against the
reality that having fun with alcohol can lead to drunk driving accidents and
fatalities.
We encourage owners to review their internal rules about
handling intoxicated patrons. Be innovative about ways to prevent intoxicated
patrons from driving. Educate your staff and be extra vigilant.
No one
wants to wake up one morning to find out your business served a patron that
killed someone on their way home.
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