This Bar Leaves Notes On The Cars Of Customers Who Choose Not To Drink And Drive

During holiday weekends and the summer months, the number of accidents caused by drunk and impaired drivers has been shown to rise.

As scary as this is, there is some good news. Advocates for safer roads are finding clever ways to combat drunk driving, with some drinking establishments even rewarding patrons for not driving after they’ve had a few.

Such is the case at The Union Bar in Gering, Nebraska. While many bars and restaurants do not allow cars in their parking lots overnight, The Union Bar takes a much different approach.

They actually go out of their way to reward patrons who decide not to drive home after spending time at The Union.

As Janelle Martin explains on her Facebook page, she and her husband were pleasantly surprised when they discovered a note left on his windshield after he decided to leave his truck at The Union overnight. It read:

Dear Union Bar and Grill Park Guest, 
Just wanted to thank you for leaving your car parked overnight. I’m not sure if you consumed alcohol at our restaurant or not, but I want to thank you for not drinking and driving. Bring this letter to the bar and we will give you a hamburger and French fries. Please accept this as a thank you for being responsible. Life is valuable. Have a great day.
Scott and Carla Swanson
Union Bar and Grill

Martin had opted to call his wife for a ride home instead of getting behind the wheel, and when he came back for his car the next day, he found that his wise choice had earned him the respect of The Union … along with a free burger and fries.

Owners of The Union, Scott and Carla Swanson, know that a free burger is a small price to pay in exchange for helping to keep their community a little safer.

Swanson says that several cars wind up left in the parking lot on Friday and Saturday nights, proof that his plan to get drunk drivers off the road might be working.

What a great way for bars to encourage customers to enjoy their beverages safely. Remember to be careful on the roads during these summer months!