Today's New York Times contains an article about efforts by legislators in Massachusetts to reverse a 1984 law that banned "happy hours" at bars in the state. As someone who just published a book on the history of drunk driving control, I was disturbed to read about this. Laws that ban happy hours aim to stop binge drinking and the problems that result from it, including drunk driving. Although it can be argued that bar owners should have the right to sell as much alcohol as they can and that increased alcohol sales will help the economy, it is wrong to foster activities that put the lives of innocent pedestrians and drivers at increased risk. Let's encourage drinking for pleasure, not binge drinking.

Links:

www.nytimes.com/2011/11/14/us/massach...

www.amazon.com/One-Road-Drunk-Driving...