Bar Fairies Group Rewarded Drivers Avoiding Intoxication
Volunteers in Montana and beyond are leaving gift cards on vehicles left at bars to prevent drunk driving.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Substance Abuse
The organization Bar Fairies, founded by Beth McBride and Carli Seymour, now utilizes 309 volunteers across multiple states to provide positive reinforcement to drivers who choose not to drive while impaired. Volunteers identify vehicles left overnight at bars and leave a note with a $5 coffee gift card to reward the responsible decision.
Why it matters
The program seeks to change rural driving culture following the death of Bobby Dewbre, who was killed by a drunk driver in March 2023. By providing positive feedback, the founders aim to reduce alcohol-related fatalities that have seen a significant increase in recent years.
Official records show 2,941 alcohol-related deaths in Montana between 2019 and 2023, compared to 1,563 deaths from 2009 to 2013. Additionally, 19.5% of Montana adults report binge drinking at least once per month.
The players
Beth McBride
She is a co-founder of the Bar Fairies volunteer organization.
Carli Seymour
She is a co-founder of the Bar Fairies volunteer organization.
Bobby Dewbre
He was a 21-year-old victim killed by a drunk driver in 2023.
Montana Legislature
The state lawmaking body responsible for the passage of House Bill 267.
The details
Volunteers in the Flathead Valley and beyond attach a note containing a photograph of the late Bobby Dewbre to windshields of cars left overnight. The initiative serves as a grassroots effort to complement measures like the 2025 passage of House Bill 267, also known as Bobby's Law.
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 were registered for the Bar Fairies program in October 2026.
Health Landscape
The Bar Fairies volunteer program follows the pattern of public advocacy set by the passage of Bobby's Law (House Bill 267) to address impaired driving. The initiative extends the spirit of legislative change by providing a grassroots, community-level reinforcement strategy.
Residents in the Flathead Valley may encounter these notes on their vehicles if they choose to leave them overnight after consuming alcohol. This program encourages safer decision-making by reinforcing the habit of finding alternative transportation after drinking.
The takeaway
Voluntary initiatives like this illustrate how community-based support can supplement formal legislation in changing behavioral norms. Responsible drivers who choose to leave their cars behind can help save lives by prioritizing safety over personal convenience.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to combat impaired driving in the Substance Abuse section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC Chicago.
