6/27/05-A bill that would have banned consumption and possession of open containers of alcohol in vehicles traveling public roadways has died.
SB89, sponsored by Sen. Jim Bryson, R-Franklin, remained in the Senate Transportation Committee at the end of the session, effectively killing it for the year.
Violators could have received up to six months in jail and/or up to a $500 fine.
It didn’t apply to passengers in taxis, limousines and recreational vehicles.
An identical House bill – HB307 – met the same fate.

3/4/05-Sen. Jim Bryson, R-Franklin, has introduced a bill that would ban consumption and possession of open containers of alcohol in vehicles traveling public roadways.
Vifolators could get 30 days in jail and/or up to a $2,500 fine.
SB89 wouldn’t apply to passengers in taxis, limousines and recreational vehicles.
Tennessee is being forced to spend a chunk of its federal highway funds on traffic safety because the state doesn’t have a ban on open containers of alcohol in vehicles.
The state is one of about a dozen nationwide that allows open alcohol containers in vehicles; last year, that distinction forced Tennessee to divert 3 percent, or about $12 million, of its highway construction budget and put it to other uses.
The federal government mandated in 2001 that states either pass open container laws or spend a percentage of federal highway dollars on public safety projects such as drunken driving checkpoints and installing cables in medians to prevent crossover accidents.
Tennessee law outlaws drivers from having an open container of alcohol, but passengers 21 years of age or older are free to drink while in a moving vehicle.
The bill is in the Senate Transportation Committee. For bill status, call (615) 741-3511.
An identical House bill – HB307 is in the House State and Local Government Committee.