OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Local bar managers say their biggest concern isn't sales this holiday weekend, it's safety. They sau their goal is to ensure people make good decisions about whether or not they'll get behind the wheel after a night out.
"Those extra shots, you know or that last beer may not be worth it," 1912 Bar Manager Calvin Saunders said.
Saunders tells us nearly ever week, they cut off customers who have too many drinks.
"This is Nebraska there's not a lot to do but to drink and have a good time some weeks," Saunders said. "So every week we're cutting people off, and I mean they get upset but I think in the long run they'll appreciate someone looking out for them when they weren't in their best state of mind."
Nebraska State Patrol Lieutenant Matt Sutter says while accidents are down about 10 percent in the metro, 2/3 of the accidents that take place involve alcohol.
"You know if somebody's had too much to drink and shouldn't be behind the wheel of a vehicle," Sutter said. "So it's incumbent upon everybody to step in and make sure that everybody's making good decisions."
Barchen Beer Bar Manager Kevin Adkins says it's an important part of the job.
"You have to be able to tell someone no, we're not going to serve you," Adkins said. "I can't have anyone leave this establishment super responsible because I'm responsible."
He also says bartenders must recognize the signs.
"You can read their body language, you can tell you know if they're having fun or if they're getting aggressive or any of those things," Adkins said. "Usually it has to do with the loudness of the group."
Hauptman O'Brien Attorney David O'Neal says his farm is offering free rides home this weekend.
"You are going to if you have a few drinks have the ability to get home free provided by us instead of getting a DUI, and having to deal with this for years," O'Neal said.
Hauptman O'Brien started offering the free ride home service in the 1990s, since then they've provided more than 68,000 safe rides home.
In order to get a free ride this holiday weekend, download the zTrip app, you can find more information on their website HauptmanOBrien.com
