08-13-2012, 08:22 AM
Forty-three states have Dram shop laws which make the bartender/server responsible when drunk patrons leave the bar and go on to hurt/maim/kill another person while drunk.
List of states with Dram shop laws
imsuchawildflower, in your three examples, only one would qualify under the laws, unless the couple on the motorcycle were so intoxicated as to be noticeable by the servers/other patrons. Just being over the legal limit doesn't make a server responsible, as how can they know everyone's blood alcohol at any given moment?
Perhaps there should be breathalyzers installed in every establishment that serves liquor with an employee hired to administer the tests. Every person who blows above the legal limit would have to stay in the establishment until they could blow under the limit. I guarantee the price of drinks would go up to pay for the equipment and person to administer the tests, but if the market will bear it, it could be done. However, this would not address people who drink at a friends home, in a park, or at home.
My bottom line is that you as a free citizen of the US are responsible for your own alcohol consumption. If you leave the bar impaired and kill yourself or someone else you are responsible. Our laws should be tougher on the perpetrator of the drunk driving offense, perhaps so tough that people would actually think twice about the consequences of their actions.
*all "yous" general*
List of states with Dram shop laws
imsuchawildflower, in your three examples, only one would qualify under the laws, unless the couple on the motorcycle were so intoxicated as to be noticeable by the servers/other patrons. Just being over the legal limit doesn't make a server responsible, as how can they know everyone's blood alcohol at any given moment?
Perhaps there should be breathalyzers installed in every establishment that serves liquor with an employee hired to administer the tests. Every person who blows above the legal limit would have to stay in the establishment until they could blow under the limit. I guarantee the price of drinks would go up to pay for the equipment and person to administer the tests, but if the market will bear it, it could be done. However, this would not address people who drink at a friends home, in a park, or at home.
My bottom line is that you as a free citizen of the US are responsible for your own alcohol consumption. If you leave the bar impaired and kill yourself or someone else you are responsible. Our laws should be tougher on the perpetrator of the drunk driving offense, perhaps so tough that people would actually think twice about the consequences of their actions.
*all "yous" general*