The Wicked Wop Posted April 22, 2003 Share Posted April 22, 2003 Montana Legislature Balks at Outlawing Drunk Driving Tuesday, April 22, 2003 HELENA, Mont. — Montana lawmakers are about to go home for the year without banning open liquor containers in cars and trucks, a decision one activist against drunken driving blame on the state's cowboy culture. "I think there's still perhaps some carry-over from people whose view is their individual rights are being trampled on," said Bill Muhs, president of a local chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 13 states do not have open-container bans that meet federal standards. Muhs said the bans are cheap and effective at reducing drunken driving, but critics have stalled efforts at the Montana Capitol to enact one by raising the specter of increasing police power. Republican state Rep. Jim Shockley, who has led the push against a ban, said such a law would be mostly a feel-good measure. He suggested greater enforcement of laws already on the books would do more to curb drunken driving. Shockley also said advocates of tougher restrictions shouldn't try to change Montanans' attitudes about drinking and driving. "It's not their business to change our culture," Shockley said. "If they don't like our culture, they should go somewhere else." Driving is a necessity in Montana, the fourth largest state. Driving 550 miles from North Dakota to Idaho is the equivalent of driving from Portland, Maine, to Richmond, Va. Montana's rebellious streak has always been visible when it comes to conforming with federal highway safety demands. More than two decades ago, legislators railed against the federally imposed speed limit of 55 mph by making violations punishable by just a $5 fine. And for three years after the 55 mph speed limit disappeared, Montana drivers were allowed to go as fast as they wanted on most highways, as long as it was "reasonable and proper" based on conditions and traffic. Statistics suggest driving in Montana is becoming increasingly dangerous. Montana's highway traffic fatality toll for 2002 — at 268 — was the highest in nearly two decades, state officials say. Fatal highway crashes involving alcohol have jumped more than 30 percent between the first four months of 2002 and 2003. And Montana remains the only state to flunk a 2002 study of drunken driving laws sponsored by MADD. Officials said it was the first time a state received an "F" since MADD began rankings a decade ago. While the Montana Legislature has refused to ban open containers, it did strengthen other laws dealing with drinking and driving this session. It lowered the blood-alcohol limit from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent and made alcohol tests mandatory for drivers after serious accidents. It also increased fines and jail time for drunken driving convictions. But lawmakers are expected to wrap up the session this week without taking on open containers. Muhs said his job always has been tougher than that of counterparts in most other states. After all, he noted, Montana was one of the last states to raise the legal drinking age to 21. "So here we are, the last state to enact some of the most fundamental drunken driving laws," Muhs said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubskin Posted April 22, 2003 Share Posted April 22, 2003 I live in Montana and just lost a friend two weeks ago in an alcohol related accident. He was only 23 and a really great guy. Unfortunately an open container law would not have saved him. I found that the DUI laws here are pretty damn tough. So I'm not real sure why we received an "F" grade from MADD last fall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Om Posted April 23, 2003 Share Posted April 23, 2003 Sorry about your loss, dubskin. Been there once. Hope I never go there again. If I may ask ... whereabouts in Montana? My brother has a piece of land just north of West Yellowstone that we intend to make annual pilgrimmages to for the rest of our lives. There are no words to describe what a few days in and around that part of the world can do for a man's soul. * By the way ... last time I was in Biloxi it was still in Mississippi. When did you all move that sucker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Om Posted April 23, 2003 Share Posted April 23, 2003 Dammit, I have say this. If you haven’t ever been to Montana’s parks ... go. Just do it. Don’t leave this life until you have. * * * * Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Om Posted April 23, 2003 Share Posted April 23, 2003 * * * Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubskin Posted April 23, 2003 Share Posted April 23, 2003 Sorry about the confusion OM. I moved to Big Sky Resort last fall (just N. of W. Yellowstone), for the ski season. I like it so much that I'm going to stay year round. Actually, I'm going to visit some friends in Traverse City then return to Big Sky for the summer and another ski season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codeorama Posted April 23, 2003 Share Posted April 23, 2003 Some of the best memories of my life come from Montana. I loved it there. When I was there, there were no speedlimits during the day time either... you can drive as fast as you want on the interstates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soliloquy Posted April 23, 2003 Share Posted April 23, 2003 Looks like Alaska. Greener, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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