Drinking, driving a way of life for manyBy 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