Date:         Wed, 4 Nov 1998 15:00:26 -0800
Reply-To:     YauMan Chan <YauMan@CCHEM.BERKELEY.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         YauMan Chan <YauMan@CCHEM.BERKELEY.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Open container (alcohol) law & the Westy????
Comments: To: mv_54@OMALP1.OMERESA.OHIO.GOV, vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

>>> Eric Pickering <mv_54@OMALP1.OMERESA.OHIO.GOV> 11/04 7:34 PM >>>
Question:
        How does law read regarding open containers in Westfalias? 
>>

I guess the answer depends on whether the law defines the Westfalia as a Camper or Mobil home!!

I am no lawyer, but in California, the law on open containers prohibits any driver or passenger in a "moving vehicle" from drinking while the vehicle is moving. Also, it is a violation of the law to store any alcoholic beverage which is opened or has a broken seal or partially empty in the same contiguous areas occupied by the driver. (ie. storing opened container in the trunk is ok)  And of course the kicker here is that this paragraph of the law do not apply to the "living quarters" of a camper or motor home.  So convince the CHP your Westy is a motor home!  but then you'll have to pay the motor home fee rate when you go to a camp site.. got to be consistent about this you know!!  

Many many years ago, when I rented a winnebego motor home to tour the country, I was given a pamphlet by the rental company explaining the importance of keeping all open alcohol containers in the designated "kitchen cabinets" in the "living quarter" of the dumb bus..being an FOB at that time, it made absolutely no sense to me... 

Yau-Man Chan  
only an 87 GL ..Westy-envy!