picture of truck picture of speedometer Traffic Safety Digest Summer 2003
 
Project Characteristics
Web-based Alcohol Training Program
Program Areas
Public Information & Education
Alcohol & Other Drugs

Type of Jurisdiction
State

Targeted Population
Employees of Liquor License Holders

Jurisdiction Size
4,500 (approx. liquor licensees)

Funding
Section 402: $50,034
State: $28,000
Other: $78,034

Contact
Linda Kearns
NE Hwy Safety Office
PO Box 94612
Lincoln, NE 68509-4612
(402) 471-2515

Digest Listing


     

NEBRASKA
Web-based Beverage Service Program


PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

During the first six months of 2000, approximately 36 percent of the traffic fatalities in the State of Nebraska were alcohol-related. This rate is comparable to the percentage of alcohol-related traffic fatalities in Fiscal Year 1998 (37.9 percent) and slightly less than the rate in Fiscal Year 1999 (42.4 percent). In Fiscal Year 1999, Nebraska’s alcohol-related fatality rate exceeded the national average (38 percent) by approximately four percent.

The data collected from January 1999 through December 2000 showed of the 80 students admitted to Cornhusker Place, a drug and alcohol treatment facility, the average blood alcohol content (BAC) was .168. Last drink data validates the need to develop and implement strategies designed to intervene at the point of sale or service. Last drink data is survey data that determines when an individual’s last drink occurred before admittance to a detoxify facility.

Results from a six-month study, performed by a Lincoln City Council committee, on the feasibility of mandatory education of clerks, bartenders, and waitstaff in state and local alcohol policies and laws found that the two major barriers are high turnover rates and training accessibility. A Web-based program will provide easy access for the approximately 20,000 individuals responsible for the sale or service of alcohol in Nebraska.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of the Web-based Beverage Service program is to reduce the number of statewide alcohol-related fatal, (A and B type) injury crashes during the funding period by 10 percent, from 749 to 674. The objectives of the program are to:

  • Increase the knowledge and awareness of employees in on- and off-sale establishments (i.e, liquor stores, bars, and restaurants) regarding select state and local alcohol-related laws and policies, as well as select management policies and procedures (such as, checking for valid identification, sales and services to intoxicated patrons, and determining when to contact law enforcement regarding disturbances by intoxicated patrons).

  • Increase, by 10 percent, the number of off-sale retail clerks, on-sale bartenders, and on-sale waitstaff who check for proper identification of individuals who appear to be 27 years of age or younger; and

  • Increase, by 10 percent, the number of off-sale retail clerks, on-sale bartenders, and on-sale waitstaff who refuse service to an obviously intoxicated customer or patron.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

The strategies and activities for the Web-based Beverage Service program were to:

  • Develop the manager portion of the system allowing specific policies to be entered into the course content and the enrollment of employees.

  • Develop Getting Started materials, a help desk, and Frequently Asked Questions for users of the system.

  • Continue development of the reporting mechanisms for the Liquor Control Commission. Employee progress within the program is available to both the owner/manager of the participating establishment and the State Liquor Commission officials.

  • Collaborate with the University of Nebraska’s Directions Campus/Community Coalition evaluator and the Lincoln Police Department to identify 10 establishments (representing a variety of license types) for the pilot project.

  • Initiate the second phase of the Web-based training pilot project when the program was made available to all licensed establishments in 2002. Held a press conference to announce the training.

  • A scheduled evaluation of the program was delayed because the site development, beta test, and pilot project took longer than anticipated. Information regarding the current progress has been presented to the State Liquor Control Commissioner.

RESULTS

As of November 2002, 69 establishments in 24 counties, have used the training program. Approximately 650 employees have been enrolled; over 50 percent of enrollees have successfully completed at least one of the two modules by correctly answering all the test questions. The Nebraska Highway Safety Office indicates that statewide alcohol-related fatal (A and B type) injury crashes are down from 38.1 percent in 2001 to 34.6 percent in 2002.

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