New rule: Drinkers cut off at three

SANTA FE, N.M. {KRQE} - Customers at some hot spots in Santa Fe will have a drink limit. The move comes after the company that owns the Blue Corn Café restaurants and the Rio Chama Steakhouse in Santa Fe found itself in the news for serving a couple of drivers that left three people dead.

Lt. Eric Garcia said that all liquor licensed bars are, “Required to train their employees so they will not over serve to their patrons or sale to minors.”

The Blue Corn Café served three shots of whiskey and three beers to James Ruiz and his friend in March. Ruiz skipped out on the tab, then slammed into a car killing two teenage sisters. He had a .20 blood alcohol level. The cafe said Ruiz wasn't over served at their restaurant.

High-powered attorney Carlos Rierro, was drinking at the Rio Chama Steakhouse the night he killed a pedestrian.

Now, the Santa Fe Dining company, which owns both restaurants, has decided to stop serving patrons at 3 drinks, you can have four if you are eating.

Helga Carrasco had this reaction when News 13 told her about the new rule, “Three drinks should be enough at a restaurant.”

While some think it's a good idea, others are skeptical it will work. Tom Hooper is one of them.

“I don't think you will be able to keep track of drinks because people will have other people buy them drinks," said Hooper.

The company wouldn't agree to an interview but said in a statement that it will use a computer system to keep track of how many drinks people have had. The company president says the change is to cut down on liability and set an example since there is such a serious DWI problem in the state. Everyone agrees drinkers hold the ultimate responsibility.

“You don't want to get drunk and hurt anybody either,” Hooper said.

Under state rules bars and liquor stores can get cited for serving a customer they suspect is at or above a .16 alcohol level. That's more than three or four drinks for most people in the course of a couple hours.