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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!houxm!houxu!welsch
From: welsch@houxu.UUCP (Larry Welsch)
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Re: "Re: party host liability ideas"
Message-ID: <410@houxu.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 5-Jul-84 08:20:52 EDT
Article-I.D.: houxu.410
Posted: Thu Jul  5 08:20:52 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 6-Jul-84 00:28:24 EDT
References: <280@ihlpf.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 28

Most people are interpreting the law wrong.  The law says the "server" of
alcohol is responsible.  The server may or may not be the host.  For
example, if a person serves her/himself then he/she is responsible, not
the host.  More interesting, if a guest serves another guest then the
guest that does the serving is responsible.  The easiest way for a host to
to not be responsible is to have an open bar, or strictly BYOB.

Personally I like the idea of having a breathalyzer by the bar and door.

Drunken driving is a problem!  Penalties after accidents are too late, and
we as a nation appear unwilling to enforce adequate penalties before
accidents.  For example, loss of license for a year and $10000 fine for a
first offense.  Second offense, permanent loss of license, a year in jail,
a fine equal to costs of a year in jail.  Also, we need adequate
enforcement, such as police sitting outside Taverns Friday nights catching
people as they drive away.

Unfortunately, we  are taking the approach of bigger and bigger insurance
awards after the accident.  To pay the award the liability is being spread
around to everyone in sight.  Right now in the case of an auto accident, the
medical bills are paid by the insurance company of the person who was hit
while the pain and suffering bills are paid by the insurance company of
the person who did the hitting.  CRAZY!  Now, just to make things
complicated New Jersey is adding a third company, your health insurance
company.  Imagine sorting out the bills now!

					Larry Welsch
					houxu!welsch