South Carolina is known for its southern hospitality, amazing food, and delicious drinks. However, this Southern charm can quickly turn into a nightmare if bartenders and servers over serve their customers. Over serving alcohol can cause life-threatening injuries to those involved in motor vehicle accidents. Yet, many people are still not aware that being over served alcohol is illegal in South Carolina. In this blog post, we will discuss the dangers of over serving alcohol, the legal issues that arise from these incidents, and tips for preventing over serving.
Firstly, it is essential to understand that bartenders have a duty of care when serving alcohol. They must carefully monitor the number of drinks they serve along with the behavior of the customer. If the bartender or server notices any signs of impairment, such as slurred speech, unsteady walking, or aggressive behavior, they must stop serving the customer. Unfortunately, this does not always happen, and over serving becomes a common problem in bars and restaurants across South Carolina.
Secondly, the consequences of over serving can be disastrous. Drunk driving crashes are a serious problem in South Carolina, with over 100 fatalities reported annually. Many of these accidents occur because an individual was over served at a bar or restaurant before getting behind the wheel. Over serving can also lead to scenes of public disorder, where intoxicated individuals become aggressive or violent towards others, leading to serious injuries and legal problems.
Dram Shop Cases
Dram shop cases, as they are known, refer to civil lawsuits that can arise from over serving. In South Carolina, dram shop cases may occur when an establishment continues to serve alcohol to a customer who is visibly intoxicated, leading to injury or death. Bartenders, servers, and establishments can face significant legal problems, including the suspension or revocation of their liquor license. It is important to understand that if someone is injured in a drunk driving accident or other alcohol-related incident, the injured party has the right to file a lawsuit against the establishment where the over serving occurred.
To prevent the dangers of over serving, bartenders and servers must understand their responsibilities and the consequences of over serving. They should also be well-trained in recognizing signs of alcohol impairment and follow strict standards when serving drinks. Additionally, establishments should implement policies and training programs to prevent over serving, such as using electronic tracking systems to monitor alcohol consumption and stopping serving alcohol after a certain time.Over serving can lead to life-threatening injuries, legal problems, and other negative consequences.
In conclusion, being over served alcohol is a serious problem in South Carolina. Over serving can lead to life-threatening injuries, legal problems, and other negative consequences. Bartenders and servers have a vital role to play in preventing over serving, and establishments must have robust policies and training programs in place. As customers, we must also act responsibly and know our limits when drinking. It is only by working together that we can ensure a safe and enjoyable drinking culture in South Carolina.
