This Labor Day, ABC Reminds Licensees to Stay Safe

Sacramento – Ahead of Labor Day, a holiday weekend that historically comes with a rise in alcohol-related vehicle crashes, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is reminding its licensees of measures to keep Californians safe.

Holiday weekends — and specifically Labor Day weekend — often see an increase in alcohol-related incidents. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that during the Labor Day weekend each year, there is a rise in alcohol-related vehicle crashes. According to NHTSA, 505 people nationwide died in traffic crashes on Labor Day weekend in 2024—33% of those crashes involved a drunk driver, and 77% involved a drunk driver with a BAC of 0.15 or more.

“Our number one priority this holiday weekend is keeping our communities safe,” said ABC Director Paul Tupy. “ABC-licensed businesses play a critical role by closely checking IDs and refusing service to obviously intoxicated patrons.”

ABC runs several education initiatives and programs aimed at preventing alcohol-related incidents. During holidays when alcohol is more prevalent, ABC stresses these initiatives to ensure the safety of Californians and compliance by licensees.

The department’s Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Program requires California’s alcohol servers to undergo training on how to sell and serve alcohol safely and responsibly at restaurants, bars, and wineries across the state. Businesses and servers who violate the law could face administrative and/or legal penalties.

ABC also works with local law enforcement agencies to immediately investigate alcohol-related crashes involving a minor via its Targeted Responsibility for Alcohol Connected Emergencies (TRACE) Program. TRACE allows ABC agents to backtrack the source of alcohol in any crash that involves a person under 21 and alcohol that results in great bodily injury or death.

Through programs such as the Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP) and grants from the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), ABC provides funding to local law enforcement to support prevention, education, and enforcement efforts across the state. These grants assist agencies with funding to conduct programs that prevent underage drinking, discourage sales to minors, and reduce traffic injuries.

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