GOV. HASLAM PROPOSES BAN ON ALL OPEN ALCOHOL CONTAINERS IN VEHICLES
Gov. Bill Haslam has proposed a ban on all open bottles or cans of alcohol in any vehicles traveling state roads. The current law prohibits drivers from drinking while behind the wheel but passengers are free from the ban. The law conflicts with federal open container guidelines. Haslam wants the law changed so that any money gained from drunk driving enforcement would go toward roads which keeps in line with his upgrading transportation program. However, prosecutors and police believe that once that money to target DUI drivers is obtained it will be lost amid the changes. The governor says that the funds could be replenished from the state’s General Fund, but that has yet to be officially proposed.