A Healthy Lynnfield (AHL) and MarketStreet Lynnfield are joining forces to encourage safe celebrations – and responsible drinking – this holiday season.
The joint initiative is headlined by four MarketStreet restaurants that are reminding patrons about the importance of “mindful consumption.
“The goal of this campaign is to promote public safety and mitigate chances of driving under the influence” said A Healthy Lynnfield Substance Use Prevention Coordinator Peg Sallade. “By joining us in this campaign, businesses show how important this message is. We encourage everyone to enjoy a meal at these establishments this holiday season.”
The public awareness campaign began Nov. 28 and will run for four weeks at Temazcal Tequila Cantina, Legal C Bar, Burtons Grill & Bar and Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse.
Instead of using their traditional coasters, the restaurants will be using a special holiday coaster reminding customers to make healthy and safe choices this holiday season. The coaster reads, “Mindful consumption makes for a healthy, safe holiday: Enjoy a non-alcoholic drink before you drive!”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, during the 2016-2020 December months, there were more than 4,400 people killed in drunk-driving-related crashes during December in 2016-2020.
Nighttime driving in December 2020 was significantly more dangerous than daytime driving, with 30 percent of drunk-driving-related crashes occurring between the hours of 6 p.m. and 5:50 a.m. Almost half (44 percent) occur between the hours of midnight and 2:59 a.m., likely when bars are closing and people are driving home.
“Our MarketStreet community is proud to be a part of this impactful campaign, especially around a busy holiday season,” said MarketStreet Lynnfield General Manager Charlotte Woods.
AHL recommends the following safe alternatives to drinking and driving:
- Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Designate a sober driver, plan to use a ride service, or call a taxi or a sober friend to get home safely.
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 911.
- If you have a friend who is drunk and about to drive, take away the keys and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.
- If you plan on drinking, plan on not driving. Doing so could change your life, not to mention the lives of your passengers, of pedestrians, or of other drivers and passengers nearby.
About A Healthy Lynnfield
A Healthy Lynnfield is an active community partnership and charitable organization working hard to prevent substance abuse and to ensure those impacted have the help they need. Its mission is to empower residents to make positive choices every day by preventing substance misuse, improving the quality of life for those impacted, and supporting programs that help all young people thrive. Learn more at www.ahealthylynnfield.org.
