[VancouverMan]

Many of the drinks that would come with such straws are consumed in moving vehicles.

In such an environment, sipping from a straw tends to work significantly better than drinking from the rim of a tilted, open-topped cup.

While smaller drinks might use a lid with a small gap in it, that just isn't a practical option for larger drinks.

[ryandrake]

For passengers, maybe, but people really should not be eating and drinking while driving vehicles. Distracted driving kills. Stuffing your face can wait until you pull over or get home.

[throwaway290]

Local shop near me sells very large drinks with very secure thick lids with two holes (bigger pluggable hole to drink from and super tiny to let the air in). Sadly it's all plastic too of course.

(edited to remove claim that straw is no better than secure lid with a small hole, it could be a little better)