NASHVILLE WANTS TO MAKE ‘DRINKING WHILE RIDING’ ILLEGAL
Later this month, the Metro Nashville Council will consider a bill to ban drinking alcohol while riding in a vehicle.
The bill could largely impact Nashville’s transportainment industry, which is a huge draw for tourists. The bill would ban anyone from having open containers of alcohol while riding in a moving vehicle in Davidson County. Open container laws are already in effect in 39 states.
Tennessee cities have the authority to ban the activity under state law.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states with these bans have fewer drunk driving deaths.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving supports the ban and said it could save lives. The group reported a 20% increase in driving fatalities since the pandemic began, including in Tennessee.
“Since the pandemic, we’ve actually seen an increase in a rise across the state of Tennessee, when it comes to drunk driving fatalities. Across the nation, we’ve seen about a 20% increase, and there’s actually sadly, some areas and location that have seen a higher increase than that. So anytime that we have the opportunity to make sure that lives are being saved, and we are being responsible, that’s what’s important. Matt has never been against the smell of alcohol. What mad stands for is the fact that we simply do not wish for someone to be driving while intoxicated,” explained Phaedra Marriott-Olson with MADD.
Matt Wood
October 9, 2021 at 1:29 pm
My name is Matt and I too am not against the smell of alcohol.
Tim
October 9, 2021 at 2:31 pm
What did Nashville expect when they decided to be a night life city. Families were kicked to the curb. Efforts to let Opryland close and stop the Dollywood park are perfect examples of families last.
Stephanie
October 10, 2021 at 9:11 am
I don’t think, that you should drive, intoxicated, lives are at hand, only ignoring, facts, will cause lives, as well as guns, Bill Lee, the governor, is brain dead, he doesn’t, care, about the impact, on family’s, from Covid to,guns drinking, and driving, no human, would let this, world end like this.
Anonymous
October 10, 2021 at 9:23 am
Is your comma button ok?
Judith
October 10, 2021 at 7:32 pm
But you can go to a bar which is where you go to drink and carry a gun. WTH?
Anonymous
October 10, 2021 at 7:38 pm
The council doesn’t have to make a law to stop drunks from falling off pedal alcohol vehicles by targeting every person in Nashville! Direct the laws to the downtown vehicles that need them. That can he done!!