Drinking, driving a way of life for many

[Ediacara]

Drinking, driving a way of life for many

By MARY FOSTER - Associated Press Writer - 06/13/04

GONZALES, La. — Each day, workers leaving chemical plants and oil refineries jam the combination gas stations and convenience stores at this exit of Interstate 10.

Most aren't looking for gasoline — they're headed straight to the tubs of beer, rum and vodka drinks sticking up from beds of ice.

‘‘Everybody's too hot and thirsty to wait until they get home for a cold beer,'' said Chuck Johnson, 34, who stopped with a friend to stock up for the drive home. ‘‘I get two for the road. I've been doing it for years and I'm not about to stop.''

Although drivers are forbidden to have open containers of alcohol, Louisiana is one of 13 states where passengers are allowed to drink. Police say that allows drinking drivers to simply hand off a drink to someone else in the car to avoid a ticket.

More at the Helena Independent Record

[toddzilla]

1. I don't care if i kill a busload of nuns..

I'm not waiting a measly 15 minutes to begin the night's drinking, wife beating and wrestling-watching festivities!

[mike_c]

2. I'll always remember the first time I say a drive-up window...

...to buy mixed drinks beside an interstate highway entrance ramp in Louisiana. The sign promised "Extra large Hurricanes to go!"

[Fovea]

3. A friend of mine was killed in Miss

last year on his bicycle by a guy who was DUI four hours after being released from his previous DUI.

DUI drivers should become lifelong pedestrians, period.

[0007]

4. Unbelievable!