Volunteers Have Rewarded Drivers for Safe Choices
The Bar Fairies program uses positive reinforcement to discourage impaired driving after a rise in Montana fatalities.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Substance Abuse
The volunteer organization Bar Fairies has expanded to 309 participants who place coffee gift cards on vehicles left overnight at bars. This initiative, which recently grew as concerns mount regarding regional alcohol-related deaths, aims to reward individuals for choosing not to drive while intoxicated.
Why it matters
The program seeks to shift rural driving culture by providing positive reinforcement to drivers who prioritize safety. It arrives as Montana confronts a sharp increase in alcohol-related deaths, which rose from 1,563 between 2009 and 2013 to 2,941 between 2019 and 2023.
Official state mortality data show a significant increase in alcohol-related deaths, climbing from 1,563 between 2009 and 2013 to 2,941 between 2019 and 2023. While the program has scaled to 309 volunteers, its efficacy in lowering fatality rates has not been clinically evaluated.
The players
Bar Fairies
A volunteer organization that provides positive reinforcement to drivers who leave their vehicles at bars to avoid intoxicated driving.
Bobby Dewbre
A 21-year-old whose death in 2023 inspired the creation of the Bar Fairies notes and Bobby's Law.
Montana Legislature
The state legislative body that passed House Bill 267, also known as Bobby's Law, in 2025.
The details
Volunteers, including 75 members in Flathead Valley, search bar parking lots for vehicles left overnight. They leave a note featuring the photograph of Bobby Dewbre, who died at age 21 after being struck by a drunk driver, alongside a $5 coffee gift card. The goal is to provide a gesture of support that reinforces the decision to leave a car behind rather than drive while impaired.
Timeline
1,563 alcohol-related deaths occurred in Montana between 2009 and 2013.
Bobby Dewbre was killed by a drunk driver in March 2023.
2,941 alcohol-related deaths occurred in Montana between 2019 and 2023.
The Montana Legislature passed House Bill 267 in 2025.
309 volunteers had signed up for Bar Fairies by October 2026.
Health Landscape
The Bar Fairies program represents a grassroots extension of the public health strategies reinforced by Bobby's Law (House Bill 267). It sits alongside state-level legislative mandates as an attempt to address the 19.5% of Montana adults who report binge drinking at least once per month.
This development highlights the importance of planning safe transportation before visiting establishments where alcohol is served. If you or someone you know is concerned about alcohol consumption, consider speaking with a healthcare provider or local support services to discuss healthy habits.
The takeaway
Positive reinforcement may serve as a meaningful tool in shifting community norms around impaired driving. Always designate a sober driver or utilize ride-sharing services whenever alcohol is consumed to ensure personal and community safety.
Further reading
For more on community-based approaches to prevention, visit Substance Abuse.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC Chicago.
