Open Containers Costing Transportation Department Federal Bucks

Familiar opponents and familiar supporters face off, again, on a proposed law that would discourage drinking and driving. The state Transportation Department already has lost ten million dollars in federal money because the state has not banned open containers from moving vehicles. Senator Morris Westfall wants a law that says, basically, no open container can be within the reach of the driver. Anheuser-Busch thinks Westfall’s proposal makes no sense. Westfall has been trying for four years to get the bill passed. Opposition from the beer and liquor industry has always killed it. A Senate committee is studying the proposal.