Bars, restaurants should take drunk driving seriously

Several business leaders recently offered advice to former USC quarterback Steve Taneyhill on his new business venture with Group Therapy, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving would like to do the same. While MADD is not against the responsible sale or consumption of alcohol by adults 21 and older, we do want to provide some lifesaving reminders, for not only Mr. Taneyhill but anyone who serves alcohol.

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1. Take drunk driving seriously. Despite enormous reductions in drunk-driving deaths in the 36 years since MADD was founded, we are not done. About 10,000 U.S. deaths still occur every year, with more than 300 of them right here in South Carolina. Every crash is 100 percent preventable.

2. Take underage drinking seriously. Preventing teens from drinking alcohol is an adult duty. Adults have to sell or provide alcohol to a minor. The earlier teens drink, the more likely they are to become drunk drivers. We have to cut off access to youth so we can raise the next generation of non-drinking drivers.

3. Train staff well and often. Reputable server-training programs address checking for fake IDs, recognizing signs of intoxication and more. This protects your business and our community.

4. Prevent over-service. It’s illegal to serve alcohol to an intoxicated customer. Make sure your staff hears from the top that this law is serious and to be followed. Risking customer and public safety is not worth a sale.

5. Offer safe rides home. With the advent of rideshare companies such as Uber, there is no excuse to drive drunk. Owners should lead by example by offering to pay for a safe ride to any customer who needs it.

If everyone planned ahead for a safe ride home after drinking, our phones would stop ringing with calls from newly heartbroken victims.