Will Massachusetts Ever Have Happy Hour Again
Time To Bring Dorsum Happy Hour To Massachusetts?
This session the Massachusetts Legislature considered "An Act restoring happy hour to the commonwealth" SB.169 at the request of a grouping of Boston Higher Police School students. The bill would allow restaurants and bars to disbelieve alcoholic beverages during specified times if drinkable prices are not inverse during the happy 60 minutes; the happy hour does not take place after 10 pm; and notice of the happy hour is posted on the premises or website at to the lowest degree three days in advance.
Massachusetts banned happy hr in 1984 as part of a national effort to combat drunk driving. Earlier that yr President Reagan signed the National Minimum Drinking Historic period Deed of 1984 (23 UsaC. § 158), which cut federal highway funds to states with drinking ages under 21. In 1985 there were xviii,125 alcohol impaired crash fatalities, representing 41% of total traffic deaths in the land. At the behest of groups such every bit Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Massachusetts joined several other states to restrict happy hours. Today, Massachusetts is 1 of eight U.S. states that still ban happy hours along with Alaska, Indiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont.
The 38-year attempt against boozer driving has had a significant effect: by 2019 at that place were 10,142 drunkard driving fatalities representing 28% of total traffic deaths. Today, AAA ranks Massachusetts first among all states for having the least astringent drunk driving trouble. However, information technology is unclear that happy hour restrictions contributed to this downwardly tendency. For example, in 2015 Illinois legalized happy hours after a 26 twelvemonth ban. According to Department of Transportation information, during 2014, the last yr that happy hour was outlawed in Illinois, at that place were 353 alcohol-related traffic deaths—38% of all traffic fatalities. In 2019 in that location were 368 alcohol-related traffic deaths—36% of traffic fatalities. Information technology appears doing away with the happy hour ban had niggling to no effect on booze impaired traffic deaths in the state. Other drunk driving measures such every bit the 21 year-former minimum drinking age, strict enforcement of drunkard driving laws, and changing youth attitudes and behaviors surrounding drunk driving have played the largest role in the reduction in traffic deaths nationally. Still, a 2014 study found that college students greatly increased alcohol consumption during promotions and happy hours that decreased overall prices.
An boosted factor is that driving options have changed greatly since 1984. Today, ride share companies such equally Uber and Lyft are at present a pop and convenient way to get around after a night on the town. Since ride shares are fairly inexpensive during off-peak hours, it is more than likely that people who had likewise much to drink would call an Uber rather than driving after happy 60 minutes ends. Additionally, parking in Boston is tedious and expensive at best. Finding parking in Boston reasonably close to a bar or restaurant—or reasonably priced—takes well-nigh herculean attempt. Ride shares are ofttimes a more convenient and amend economic pick.
The bill'due south findings and purposes section lists both the law'south ineffectiveness and economical factors for lifting the ban. The bill claims restoring happy 60 minutes "volition support local businesses, shift patronage of bars and restaurants toward depression-density hours, and do good the public morale."
Indeed, offering happy 60 minutes specials could help restaurants and bars heave sales during off-peak hours. In the time of Covid-19, these discounts and specials could mitigate the losses suffered during the pandemic. Joshua Lewin, a co-owner of a restaurant in Somerville and Boston argued that in the time of Covid happy hours bring in patrons during irksome times of the solar day. Happy hours spread out the times in which people go to the restaurants as allow social distancing measures.
The proposal is also popular; a recent MassINC poll found 70% of people canonical lifting the happy hour ban with but 9% strongly opposed. In addition, Mothers Against Drunkard Driving ("MADD"), one of the strongest proponents for prohibiting happy hours, does non currently have an official stance on lifting the ban due to the advent of ride shares as a safeguards against drunk driving.
The Massachusetts Land Firm
Boston, 1787
Allowing happy hours, however, faces pregnant opposition. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker is skeptical nigh the bill stating, "That police force did non come up well-nigh by accident. It came well-nigh considering there was a sustained serial of tragedies that involved both immature and older people, in some terrible highway incidents, all of which track dorsum to people who'd been over-served as a effect of happy hours in a diversity of places… I'd be hard-pressed to support changing information technology."
While drunk driving and binge drinking are still a business organization, drunkard driving incidents accept been on the decline over the concluding twenty years. Testify suggests the Massachusetts prohibition of happy hour is outdated and ineffective for decreasing drunk driving. The Republic should refocus its efforts to curb drunk driving through increased education and outreach programs along with tighter enforcement across the Commonwealth. Farther, the Legislature should support legislation that will assistance local business in any way that is practical; happy hours would give bars and restaurants a heave while helping to manage the menstruum of customers.
At any rate, the bill seems to exist washed for the session. The commission on Consumer Protection and Professional person Licensure held a hearing on August xxx, 2021, and in January 2022 sent the bill to a study order. Perhaps bars and restaurants will go some relief next year.
Ryan Platt anticipates graduating from Boston University Schoolhouse of Law in May 2023.
Dane White anticipates graduating from Boston University Schoolhouse of Police in May 2023.
Source: https://sites.bu.edu/dome/2022/02/24/time-to-bring-back-happy-hour-to-massachusetts-2/
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