Dr. Maurice Dennis, a Senior Research Scientist at the Center for Transportation Safety, has been asked to serve on the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission’s alcohol server curriculum review committee. This group assists the TABC in revising and updating the curriculum used to train bartenders, wait staff and others involved in alcohol beverage service. Education of alcohol servers is very important as about one-half of all alcohol related vehicle crashes involve persons who had consumed alcohol at bars or restaurants, while only 25 percent of all alcohol is consumed at such locations.
In addition, Dr. Dennis was also responsible for reviewing the Manager Awareness Program for TABC. This program is designed to aid alcohol establishment managers and owners in developing and implementing policies related to responsible alcohol service. Research has shown that alcohol beverage service training is only effective if establishments have developed and implement quality policies and procedures. In addition, he has developed and made available to restaurants, bars, golf courses, etc a sample set of policies to help them prevent illegal service of alcohol.
Dr. Dennis directs The Center for Alcohol and Drug Education Studies (CADES), a Texas A&M University-recognized center shared between the Texas A&M Transportation Institute and the College of Education and Human Development. Its purpose is to conduct alcohol/drug education research, curriculum development and training. In addition to TxDOT funded activity, CADES assists state agencies and private establishments in alcohol/drug education areas.