Virginia bartenders test drive anti-DUI program

The men and women who usually have a sympathetic ear for customers will be on extra alert for drinkers who drive.

The nonprofit Foundation For Alcohol Responsibility has selected Harrisonburg, Va., and its bartenders, as the first to test what could be a national training program to keep intoxicated patrons off the road.

The goal is to reduce underage drinking through cooperation with police, bars and university administrators, according to foundation President Jill Kerr. The nonprofit is supported by alcohol distributors.

“They wanted to get the beverage industry behind an initiative that’s not anti-alcohol, but teaches responsible consumption,” Kerr said.

Since the fall, Kerr has met with bar owners, law enforcement authorities and university officials to start the program, which will operate in Harrisonburg for five years. During the first year, Kerr says FAR will give up to $100,000 in training materials to city restaurants. A James Madison University marketing class will create materials encouraging young adults to drink responsibly.

The foundation picked Harrisonburg because it’s near its home base in northern Virginia, is a university town, and already has The Community Coalition on Alcohol Abuse.

Chris Clark, manager at the Artful Dodger, said the training covers what bartenders should already be doing. “If we can’t help them, we’re doing a disservice to the customers,” Clark said. “We don’t want people (leaving) and getting DUIs.”

In addition to training, Clark says FAR will provide the bar with a breath-testing machine. He also expects to receive a machine that will detect fake IDs.

Topics Training Development Virginia