| What is Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training? |
| RBS Training is an education program that trains owners, managers and servers of alcohol outlets in how to avoid illegally selling alcohol to underage or intoxicated patrons. |
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| What Does an RBS Training Include? |
| Trainings help owners, managers and servers understand state and local alcohol policies and potential consequences for failing to comply with these policies, and provide the necessary skills to comply with these policies. RBS trainings can also include information such as: |
- The importance of checking age identification of customers who appear under age 30.
- How to identify fake ID's and what to do once false identification is confiscated.
- How to recognize situations in which legal age adults are buying alcohol for underage individuals.
- How to refuse sales to adults who may supply alcohol to underage individuals.
- How to identify intoxicated customers.
- How to refuse service to underage or intoxicated customers.
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| Why is RBS Important? |
| The following are some reasons for RBS trainings: |
- Ease of Underage Purchase. Recent surveys around the country show that underage individuals can easily purchase alcohol without showing identification. This is especially true of young women under 21, who purchased beer without showing ID in almost 50% of attempts. Servers that attend RBS training are more likely to check ID and refuse sales to underage drinkers.
- Reduce DUI's. Most individuals who drink and drive consume their last drink at a licensed establishment. RBS training can decrease the likelihood that customers will be served when intoxicated. RBS training can also help servers identify strategies to prevent intoxicated individuals from driving drunk.
- Reduce liability for owners and servers. Owners and servers may face civil penalties if they do not serve alcohol responsibly. Those found violating laws prohibiting alcohol sales to underage or intoxicated customers may also face higher liability insurance rates.
- Clarify responsibilities. Servers say it is easier to serve responsibly when owners, managers and servers all have a clear understanding of local, state, and establishment rules.
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| Will RBS Training by itself eliminate the problem of high-risk drinking? |
| No. Consistent enforcement of policies regarding underage drinking, DUI, and serving or buying for underage individuals is also necessary. Policies allowing underage individuals in bars, and weak penalties against bar owners that allow underage drinking to occur, contribute to the problem of underage drinking. Alternative activities must also be created and promoted to give students alternatives to drinking. A comprehensive program is necessary to reduce high risk drinking, both inside and outside of bars and restaurants. |
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