Restaurants, bars and tourism officials say Utahns should not shy away from partying or eating out because of the state’s new toughest-in-the-nation drunken driving law when it takes effect in just over two weeks on Dec. 30.
They stress two reasons: The Utah Highway Patrol and police say the new law won’t change how they enforce DUI laws, with their focus on impairment rather than blood-alcohol levels; and Utah has plenty of ride-sharing and public transportation options to get people home safely if they drink too much.
“This law change needed a friendly voice,” said Jeremy Neigher, Utah marketing manager for Lyft.