The senate passed a bill last Tuesday that would make it illegal to have an open bottle, can, or other container with alcohol inside a vehicle in an effort to increase safety on public roads.

In states like Tennessee and Connecticut, current laws allow drivers to drive down the highway with an open can of beer or other alcoholic beverage in their cup holders.

Some people see the law as common sense, as 39 other states currently enforce an open container law.

We are trying to get drunk drivers off the roads, said Tennessee Senate Judiciary Chairwoman, Mae Beavers, adding that allowing people to drive with open containers does nothing for DUI laws.

Still, others are concerned that the measure could do more harm than good.

Prosecutors worry that the bill could decrease federal road funding that is often used for drunken driving enforcement. Currently, $12 million of Tennessee’s road funding is diverted to the safety office because the state does not comply with federal open container laws.

In addition, the proposed law would contribute to the job loss of specialized DUI prosecutors that are funded through those safety offices.

The open container bill is still pending in the house.
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