Anheuser-Busch Praises Hawaii Legislature for Enacting Tougher Drunk-Driving Law
July 9, 2007
ST. LOUIS (JULY 9, 2007) – Anheuser-Busch applauds the Hawaii State Legislature for enacting legislation that took effect last week to strengthen penalties for those individuals who cause the majority of drunk-driving fatalities: hard-core drunk drivers who register blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) levels nearly twice the legal limit when apprehended. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), those offenders with a BAC of .15 or higher are responsible for two-thirds of all drunk-driving fatalities, both nationally and in Hawaii.
“We commend the legislative sponsors, Representative Joseph Souki and Representative Scott Nishimoto, and the legislature for recognizing that tougher drunk-driving statutes were needed, and for enacting this important law, which represents a significant milestone in the fight against drunk driving,” said Andrew Baldonado, region vice president of Government Affairs at Anheuser-Busch. “This law will help further reduce the number of highway fatalities caused by drunk drivers by targeting the individuals most responsible for these senseless tragedies.”
Under Act 198, drunk drivers with a BAC of .15 or higher are redefined as “highly intoxicated drivers” and therefore subject to harsher penalties, including driver license and vehicle registration revocation for periods of six months to one year.
“This law complements and reinforces the steady progress that has already been made in reducing rates of drunk-driving fatalities nationwide and in Hawaii,” Baldonado noted. DOT data shows that drunk-driving fatalities are down 39 percent nationwide and 40 percent statewide since 1982.
For nearly a quarter century, Anheuser-Busch and its nationwide network of 600 independent wholesalers, including our company-owned wholesaler, Anheuser-Busch Sales of Hawaii, have led the alcohol beverage industry in alcohol awareness initiatives by promoting responsibility and respect for the law, investing more than a half-billion dollars in alcohol awareness and education programs and partnerships. This includes providing server training to on- and off-premise retailers that helps educate their staff on how to avoid over-serving patrons or selling to customers who may have had too much to drink; displaying point-of-sale materials reminding customers to drink responsibly; and implementing safe ride and designated-driver programs.
In Hawaii, Anheuser-Busch Sales of Hawaii partners with the University of Hawaii and Sodexho to implement Good Sport, a communications, training and fan management program designed to help stadium operators, team owners and concessionaires promote a positive crowd environment, at Aloha Stadium, Les Murakami Stadium and the Stan Sheriff Center. Anheuser-Busch Sales of Hawaii also implements Who’s Your Bud? Choose a Designated Driver and other designated driver programs at on-premise venues on island. The company also has sponsored Street Smart speaker presentations to military personnel that remind them of the dangers of underage drinking, drunk driving, illegal drug use and not wearing seat belts. In addition, earlier this year Anheuser-Busch donated $240,000 to the University of Hawaii at Manoa to continue its social norms program that helps reduce alcohol abuse and underage drinking on campus.
In 2007, for the fourth year in a row, Anheuser-Busch ranked first in the beverage industry for social responsibility in FORTUNE magazine’s “America’s Most Admired Companies” and “Global Most Admired Companies.” More information about Anheuser-Busch’s responsibility programs is available at www.beeresponsible.com.
July 9, 2007
ST. LOUIS (JULY 9, 2007) – Anheuser-Busch applauds the Hawaii State Legislature for enacting legislation that took effect last week to strengthen penalties for those individuals who cause the majority of drunk-driving fatalities: hard-core drunk drivers who register blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) levels nearly twice the legal limit when apprehended. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), those offenders with a BAC of .15 or higher are responsible for two-thirds of all drunk-driving fatalities, both nationally and in Hawaii.
“We commend the legislative sponsors, Representative Joseph Souki and Representative Scott Nishimoto, and the legislature for recognizing that tougher drunk-driving statutes were needed, and for enacting this important law, which represents a significant milestone in the fight against drunk driving,” said Andrew Baldonado, region vice president of Government Affairs at Anheuser-Busch. “This law will help further reduce the number of highway fatalities caused by drunk drivers by targeting the individuals most responsible for these senseless tragedies.”
Under Act 198, drunk drivers with a BAC of .15 or higher are redefined as “highly intoxicated drivers” and therefore subject to harsher penalties, including driver license and vehicle registration revocation for periods of six months to one year.
“This law complements and reinforces the steady progress that has already been made in reducing rates of drunk-driving fatalities nationwide and in Hawaii,” Baldonado noted. DOT data shows that drunk-driving fatalities are down 39 percent nationwide and 40 percent statewide since 1982.
For nearly a quarter century, Anheuser-Busch and its nationwide network of 600 independent wholesalers, including our company-owned wholesaler, Anheuser-Busch Sales of Hawaii, have led the alcohol beverage industry in alcohol awareness initiatives by promoting responsibility and respect for the law, investing more than a half-billion dollars in alcohol awareness and education programs and partnerships. This includes providing server training to on- and off-premise retailers that helps educate their staff on how to avoid over-serving patrons or selling to customers who may have had too much to drink; displaying point-of-sale materials reminding customers to drink responsibly; and implementing safe ride and designated-driver programs.
In Hawaii, Anheuser-Busch Sales of Hawaii partners with the University of Hawaii and Sodexho to implement Good Sport, a communications, training and fan management program designed to help stadium operators, team owners and concessionaires promote a positive crowd environment, at Aloha Stadium, Les Murakami Stadium and the Stan Sheriff Center. Anheuser-Busch Sales of Hawaii also implements Who’s Your Bud? Choose a Designated Driver and other designated driver programs at on-premise venues on island. The company also has sponsored Street Smart speaker presentations to military personnel that remind them of the dangers of underage drinking, drunk driving, illegal drug use and not wearing seat belts. In addition, earlier this year Anheuser-Busch donated $240,000 to the University of Hawaii at Manoa to continue its social norms program that helps reduce alcohol abuse and underage drinking on campus.
In 2007, for the fourth year in a row, Anheuser-Busch ranked first in the beverage industry for social responsibility in FORTUNE magazine’s “America’s Most Admired Companies” and “Global Most Admired Companies.” More information about Anheuser-Busch’s responsibility programs is available at www.beeresponsible.com.