To the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority,

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on behalf of the families in Virginia who have been affected by traffic violence. As a national advocacy organization whose members are all individuals directly impacted by traffic violence, Families for Safe Streets (FSS) brings a powerful personal voice. FSS members, who have lost loved ones or suffered life-altering injuries, have become the public face of traffic deaths. They share their stories and experiences to highlight the devastating consequences of reckless driving and to urge lawmakers to adopt life-saving policies on the local, state and national level.

We stand with our members who respectfully oppose the proposed amendment to extend reduced-price alcohol sales (Happy Hour) from 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. We understand the public support of Virginia’s restaurants, hotels, and hospitality workers, however, we maintain that any changes to alcohol policy must be evaluated through a public-safety lens—especially as impaired driving remains a top cause of death on Virginia’s roads. 

The petition from the Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association highlights economic benefits but understates the risks associated with increasing late-night alcohol availability. Extending discounted alcohol service hours would increase the likelihood of impaired driving at the most dangerous time of day: late evening and overnight, when fatal crashes are disproportionately more likely.

Data to consider:

• Alcohol-impaired driving remains a factor in nearly one-third of traffic deaths nationwide. According to the CDC, 32 people in the United States are killed every day in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver - that's one death every 45 minutes. 
• Late-night hours see the highest rates of fatal DUI crashes.
• Lower-cost alcohol increases consumption, especially among young adults, high-risk groups, or binge drinkers (CDC).
• While DUI convictions in Virginia vary year to year, one death is too many, and the proposed change could reverse recent progress.

This is not about discouraging business - it’s about preventing irreversible harm.

Increasing access to reduced-price alcohol during late hours creates unnecessary risks that will undoubtedly impact families, first responders, and communities across the Commonwealth.

Here are the names of a few of our members who were injured or killed on Virginia roads in preventable crashes: 

1. Mackenzie (Kenzie) Beyers
2. Will Davis
3. Robyn Hightman
4. Conner Guido
5. Rebekah Young
6. Daniel Carter
7. Jeff Pool
8. Alexis Hicks
9. Christopher Lee King
10. Frank Harris
11. Bimla Agarwal
12. Jenny Burton
13. Anna Guardipee
14. Lane Marie Kruszewski ("Lanie")
15. Christopher Edward Smeglin
16. Michael Pryce-Jones
17. Gabe Malouf
18. Heidi Gallegos
19. Gianna Rose Simoncini
20. Maci Marciano
21. Cecilia Suemith
22. Dylan Corey Knowles

For more stories, check out our National Story Map, https://www.familiesforsafestreets.org/stories

While the industry asserts that rideshare services reduce impaired driving, evidence shows that availability is inconsistent, especially in rural or suburban communities, where many fatal crashes occur.

We need a  balanced approach that prevents harm:

• We can support small businesses without expanding discounted late-night alcohol sales.
• We can strengthen the economy without increasing risk.
• We can modernize regulations without sacrificing safety.

We urge the ABC Authority to maintain the 9:00 p.m. cutoff and preserve Virginia’s commitment to protecting lives.