Legislation could prevent alcohol-related crashes in Omaha

OMAHA – The amount of alcohol-related crashes in Nebraska is at an all-time low in over 10 years. The Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS) indicated 1,687 of these crashes in 2010.

It seems as though passed legislation is a better combat against these figures. In 1999 the NOHS reported 2,057 alcohol-related crashes and in August 28 of that year an ‘Open Container Law’ was adopted.

The following year, barely unchanged, the reported crashes stood at 2,051. Nonetheless, after 2000 when ‘.08 Blood Alcohol Concentration Law’ amended the ‘.02 BAC Zero Tolerance under 21 drivers,’ during 2001 the number of alcohol-related crashes dramatically dropped to 1,819.  

Ten years later, and several passed bills down the road, Nebraska faces new legislation (LB693) asking to adopt the ‘Alcoholic Liquor Liability Act.’ The purpose of this Act is to counteract “intoxication-related traumatic injuries, deaths, and other damages, and to establish a legal basis for obtaining compensation” for those suffering damages resulting from negligent provision of alcohol.

A licensee (including an employee) who served alcohol ‘by the drink’ when the licensee knew or should have known the person was or would become intoxicated, is also liable just as much as the intoxicated person who caused direct injury, property damage, or any other cause of action available in tort.

LB693 was introduced Jan. 19, 2011by Senator Tom Carlson, who exclaimed “selling liquor by the drink to an obviously intoxicated person is not showing responsible service.”

Eventually, alike previous facts have shown the number of alcohol-related crashes could significantly drop if LB693 passes.

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