JCRegister

Original photo from Xylographile. See it here without Mr. Clean.

There was a news yesterday that made me go “uh-oh”.

It basically says that restaurant and bars can now be held responsible for drunk drivers in NJ even though they didn’t drink there. Establishments must make sure that drunk customers are “prevented from driving.” Not only that, “they must make sure any person who entered in a state of drunkenness is stopped from driving.”

It opposes the Dram Shop Act which “holds operators responsible only for people who become drunk on the premises.”

If a jury could indeed pass the negligence on the bars, it will be tough from the business standpoint. How are the restaurants/bars going to know if the person is drunk? And if that person is drunk, should the restaurants/bars call a cab for him to make sure he doesn’t drive?

Based on this logic, maybe someday we will witness NJ jury holding beer/liquor companies liable for selling liquids that make people drunk. Or should we blame producers of action flicks for inspiring terrorists and giving them ideas? As far as I am concerned, adults should be responsible of themselves.

Over or under : In 30 days, a Jersey City restaurant or bar will be sued because of this issue. Do I hear “under?”

Read the news for the full story.