The governor's bill initially proposed raising the driving age in 18 metro Atlanta counties, but a House committee eliminated that provision last week. The revised bill was approved 171-2. Without the teen-driving provision, the bill amounts to an effort to make sure Georgia doesn't lose millions in federal highway money by bringing the state's DUI and open container laws into compliance with federal standards. It reduces from .10 to .08 the blood alcohol level required for an automatic drunken driving charge. Barnes' bill also allows passengers to be charged with possession of an open container of alcohol.
Current law prohibits only the driver from having an open container.
The bill also creates a new offense, aggressive driving, that applies to drivers caught weaving, tailgating or cutting off other drivers to harass or intimidate them. It allows anyone under 21 whose license is suspended to get a learner's permit so they can receive further instruction from a parent or driving school. Rep. Terry Barnard, R-Glennville, offered an amendment to make sure people who collect cans from the side of the road could not be charged with an open container violation. The governor's floor leader opposed the amendment, but it passed 128-44 after Speaker Tom Murphy indicated his support for it. Smith said neither amendment hurt the governor's proposal.