ABC Asks Licensees and the Public to Work Together to Prevent DUIs this Thanksgiving Weekend

Sacramento – The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) encourages ABC licensees to check identifications closely to prevent underage drinking and to not serve obviously intoxicated customers this Thanksgiving weekend.

ABC is partnering with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to help keep communities safe through the holiday season. ABC strongly advises people to remember to designate a sober driver, and to use public transportation or a ride-hailing service.

“The night before Thanksgiving is an especially popular night for folks to go out drinking and the worst way to start off this holiday weekend is with a preventable tragedy,” said ABC Director Paul Tupy. “ABC licensees play a vital role in protecting our communities by carefully checking IDs and preventing customers from being over-served.”

The department will be utilizing education and prevention programs, and enforcement where necessary in collaboration with local law enforcement, licensed establishments, and community stakeholders to help make the holiday season as safe as possible.

Thanksgiving enforcement efforts are funded by a grant from OTS through the NHTSA.

Visit ABC’s website to see how the department protects communities through education, prevention and enforcement programs designed to increase compliance with California’s alcoholic beverage laws.

ABC is a department of the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency.