The American Beverage Institute is a restaurant industry trade group which opposes the use of anti-drunk-driving checkpoints and other measures whose proponents claim reduce the incidence of drunk driving. They are actively involved in public relations campaigns supporting various interests of the restaurant industry, particularly with respect to alcohol consumption. It is based in Washington, D.C. and is managed by Berman and Company, a public relations firm owned by lobbyist Richard Berman.
The following is from their website:
The group sometimes sends letters or columns to newspapers arguing that laws that have been adopted to fight drunk driving are ineffective or inappropriate.[1]
Candy Lightner, the founder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, joined the group in 1994, saying she supported laws punishing repeat offenders and those who drove after imbibing large amounts of alcohol rather than steadily dropping breath testing thresholds to outlaw progressively lower amounts of social drinking.[2]
Mayer, Caroline E.; Amy Joyce (April 27, 2005). "The Escalating Obesity Wars. Nonprofit's Tactics, Funding Sources Spark Controversy". Washington Post: p. Page E01. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/04/26/AR2005042601259.html. Retrieved 2008-07-22.