DUI-Related Traffic Deaths Up This Year in Southern Nevada – Are You Doing All You Can to Help Prevent Drunk Driving?

If you’ve been following the local news lately, you’ll know about the recent spike in pedestrian deaths around Las Vegas. In the past few weeks, a 15-year-old was struck by an alleged drunk driver in Henderson, a child was struck and killed by an intoxicated driver while trick-or-treating in Las Vegas, and a pedestrian was killed the following night while crossing the street at Cheyenne Avenue, also hit by a driver who was later booked for DUI (News 3 Las Vegas). Police are taking this time to remind drivers and pedestrians alike to be cautious, follow safety precautions, and most importantly, say no to drunk driving. In fact, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal, there have already been twelve alcohol-related traffic fatalities in Las Vegas this year, up from seven in 2010. As a service professional, are you doing all you can to help your patrons get home safe?

Bartenders, waiters and anyone else who serves alcoholic beverages have a legal and moral responsibility to serve alcohol responsibly, keep a close eye on their patrons, and promote an alternative means of getting home if anyone appears intoxicated. There are a few things you can do to help promote safe beverage policies:

  • Complete your mandatory alcohol education with TAM® of Nevada. TAM® will teach you and your coworkers to offer excellent and responsible beverage service while keeping patrons safe. TAM®-trained individuals receive the best education possible in safe serving and selling techniques.
  • Become familiar with sober driving services available in southern Nevada. Keep the number to cab companies at your bar so that you can make the call whenever necessary. Companies like Designated Drivers, Inc. provide a responsible alternative to driving while impaired. A driver will be dispatched to take your patron home in their own vehicle, no worries about retrieving their car after they sober up.
  • Keep a close eye on your customers. If a group of guests is at your establishment and an individual within the group is becoming intoxicated, check with a sober member of their group to make sure that they have a plan to get the intoxicated individual home safely. If there is no designated driver assigned, offer to call a cab. Alert your coworkers to make sure the individual is not served any more alcohol.
  • Familiarize yourself with company policies when it comes to intoxicated patrons and suspected drunk drivers. Alert your manager or supervisor if you need to cut someone off, if you need them to intervene in the situation, or if you have any concerns about a guest’s safety.

Drunk driving is a preventable problem, and service professionals in Nevada can help make a difference, and potentially help save lives. What other tips would you offer on how to help prevent drunk driving?

Resources

© 2011 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

Viva Las Vegas: History of a Great American City

Las Vegas SignFrom humble beginnings as stopover railroad outpost to its current position as one of the most buzzed about and happening cities in the United States, Las Vegas has a rich and vibrant history.

The Las Vegas Sun recently put together a thoroughly detailed and incredibly interesting overview of all the highlights (and lowlights!) and important turning points in this great city’s history. You can check out their special coverage including a thorough timeline, interactive maps, videos and more here.

TAM® of Nevada is proud to have been a fixture in this town for over twenty-five years, but that’s just a blip on the radar for Las Vegas. Make sure to check out the Sun’s coverage on everything from the boomtown beginnings to mob ties, big personalities, population booms, and everything else in between. We were surprised by some of the facts we read (Did you know gambling was illegal in Nevada between 1909 and 1931?), and we loved reading through some of the specific coverage and stories on some of Las Vegas’ biggest personalities. Las Vegas residents should be proud to call such a diverse and interesting place home. It may be known as one of the most popular tourist destinations in America, but locals knows this is also a great metropolis with a rich history and lots to offer residents.

So, what say you TAM® Nation readers? What is your favorite part of Las Vegas’ storied history? What fact or figure surprised you most?

Resources

The History of Las Vegas – Las Vegas Sun

© 2011 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

 

TAM® of Nevada $250 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

Gift Card Giveaway
Find us on Facebook and sign up!

We’re rewarding hardworking Nevada locals and industry professionals with a Facebook giveaway. Have you entered yet?

TAM® of Nevada is dedicated to providing superior education and service to Nevada’s hard working service professionals. We are happy to be a provider alcohol awareness education and alcohol education cards for over 25 years now. In addition to this, we are happy to now have the opportunity to connect with industry professionals socially, and invite you to join us! We’re announcing a new giveaway to show our appreciation to TAM® students and Facebook fans for their and positive comments and suggestions.

If you are a Facebook user, please connect with us by visiting us on Facebook and ‘Liking’ our page. After visiting and liking our page, you’ll have the option to register and enter the contest for a chance to win a $250 Visa gift card. Already connected with us on Facebook? No problem, just visit our page and fill out the entry form. We’ll be randomly drawing two winners, one at the end of August, and one at the end of September, so sign up today!

Even if you’re not interested in entering to win, we invite you to connect with us socially on Facebook. TAM® of Nevada is always interested in keeping touch with current and prospective students. By joining us, you can be the first to learn about any coupons and deals available only to our social media followers, plus additional TAM® tips, Las Vegas news and happenings, industry events and more.

Resources

TAM of Nevada Facebook Page

© 2011 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

Las Vegas Restaurant Week is Coming. Are You Ready for the Crowds?

Las Vegas Restaurant WeekLas Vegas Restaurant Week is returning to town once again from August 29th through September 11th at many of the area’s hottest restaurants.

Now in its fifth year, this event continues to be a resounding success and something for diners to look forward to. Restaurant Week offers up the chance for diners to check out some of the most popular eateries on and off the strip if they haven’t had the chance (or the budget!) just yet. Additionally, a portion of proceeds from each meal sold at participating restaurants will go to support Three Square Food Bank. How cool is that?

What does that mean for hospitality professionals? Prepare to be VERY busy! Expect crowds of hungry diners eager to sample cuisine from the over 80 participating restaurants over the two week period. Diners are heavily encouraged to make reservations, so that removes the element of surprise for many establishments.

If you are a service professional at a participating restaurant, make sure you are familiar with the prixe fixe menus and are able to answer questions about Restaurant Week options (ex – Menu substitutions, exclusions, etc.). Need a little more advice on how to keep your cool during this busy period? Make sure to read our blog post, “Feel Like You’re Stuck in a Pressure Cooker? Managing Stress on the Job.”

To learn more about Las Vegas Restaurant Week, Three Square Food Bank, and participating restaurants, you can visit the event website here.

Is your establishment participating in Restaurant Week? Which restaurants are you most excited to dine at?

© 2011 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada