Volunteers Rewarded Drivers Who Avoided Drunk Driving
Community groups have begun leaving coffee gift cards on cars left at bars to encourage responsible behavior.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Substance Abuse
Volunteers have started visiting bar parking lots to leave notes and coffee gift cards for individuals who chose to leave their vehicles overnight. The effort, which seeks to curb drunk driving, follows the death of Bobby Dewbre in March 2023.
Why it matters
The initiative targets the prevention of alcohol-related fatalities following a sharp increase in such deaths in Montana over the last decade. It coincides with recent legislative action aimed at toughening penalties for repeat drunk driving offenses.
Official health data shows that alcohol-related deaths in Montana rose significantly, from 1,563 in the 2009-2013 period to 2,941 in 2019-2023. Additionally, state reporting indicates that 19.5% of Montana adults engage in binge drinking at least once per month.
The players
Bobby Dewbre
A man whose death in 2023 serves as a focal point for volunteer efforts against impaired driving.
Beth McBride
An organizer who coordinates volunteers to reward drivers for avoiding impaired driving.
Carli Seymour
An organizer who facilitates volunteer activities for checking parking lots for vehicles left overnight.
Montana Legislature
The state governing body that enacted House Bill 267 to increase penalties for fatal DUI offenses.
The details
Volunteers operate on weekends, scanning bar parking lots to identify vehicles left behind by owners who opted not to drive while impaired. They place a note featuring the image of Bobby Dewbre and a $5 coffee gift card on the windshield as a tangible reward for making the safer choice. This decentralized effort has expanded across multiple states and now involves 309 signed-up participants.
Timeline
1,563 alcohol-related deaths were recorded between 2009 and 2013.
2,941 alcohol-related deaths were recorded between 2019 and 2023.
Bobby Dewbre was killed by a drunk driver in March 2023.
The Montana Legislature passed House Bill 267 in 2025.
A total of 309 volunteers were signed up as of October 7, 2026.
Health Landscape
The rise in alcohol-related mortality reflects a public health challenge that has prompted both legislative shifts and grassroots community action. This activity follows the 2025 passage of Montana House Bill 267, which represents a move toward more stringent legal consequences for fatal drunk driving.
Choosing to leave a vehicle behind after drinking is a critical preventive habit that reduces the risk of fatal accidents. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol use, discuss available support resources and local recovery programs with your physician.
The takeaway
Recognizing that leaving a vehicle behind is a responsible health decision can help shift community norms surrounding drinking and driving. If you are concerned about your own alcohol consumption, consider consulting a healthcare professional to discuss your habits and available support options.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to address Substance Abuse across the country.
