September 7, 2012 at 11:37am by Michael Austin
Drunk driving is universally disdained, but, curiously, drinking while driving is not illegal in all states. The current federal transportation funding bill, known by the acronym SAFETEA-LU, specifies guidelines for open-container laws that prohibit “possession or consumption of any open alcoholic beverage in the passenger area of a motor vehicle located on a public highway or right-of-way.” States without a law on the books, or those that don’t fully comply, see some federal funding redirected from construction to safety programs. Which is not to say that the 11 noncompliant states are lenient on drunk driving: All 50 now have ignition-interlock laws for drunk-driving offenders.
- Feature: Texting While Driving: How Dangerous is it?
- Tech Dept.: Ethanol-Injection Systems Explained
- Column: Aaron Robinson: The Law is the Law, Unless You’re the Law
Other Stories You Might Like