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DA Wants Law Forcing Texas Bars To Stock Non-Alcoholic Drinks


Texas leads the nation in drunk driving related deaths. That's why an assistant district attorney in Bexar County recently launched an unprecedented and controversial concept.

Some bars already have nonalcoholic beers and wines, but the assistant DA wants to make it state law to require all bars and restaurants to keep them in stock.

Mike Specia's been in the bar business for much of his life. He says keeping an array of non-alcoholic beers and wines on his shelves won't help designated drivers keep their promise to stay sober. "You're trying to get into the psyche of someone. We don't really know what's in their head," he says.

Assistant District Attorney Cliff Herberg disagrees, he says, "Particularly in bars, drinking has a social component to it, people want to feel like part of the group."

Herberg says if bars and restaurants have beverages that taste and smell like beer and wine, people will be more likely to stay sober, enjoy the night out with friends and then drive them home safely.

"People say well you can drink Coca-Cola, but that's not the same," says Specia. "It's just the idea of the government getting into my business, which I have a problem with."

The DA's office is looking for a local sponsor for the bill and wants it introduced when the Texas legislature convenes next week. In addition, it will continue its push for drunk driving checkpoints in Texas.

by Dillon Collier