Date:         Wed, 4 Nov 1998 18:20:46 -0500
Reply-To:     Bulley-Hewlett & Associates <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Bulley-Hewlett & Associates <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Open container (alcohol) law & the Westy????
Comments: To: Eric Pickering <mv_54@OMALP1.OMERESA.OHIO.GOV>,
          "vanagon@VANAGON.COM" <vanagon@VANAGON.COM>

Eric wrote:
<<How does law read regarding open containers in Westfalias?  I mean, not
cruising down the road holding a beer bottle, but a corked bottle of wine
or Jack Daniel's finest in one of the back cabinets!  I know common sense
would say that is fine but a nosey police officer and a poorly written law
could get you/me in trouble.  Any lawers or officers of the law out there
that can give me some insight?  I'm in Ohio if location matters (but travel
all over).>>
Eric-

I'm not a lawyer, but know that this law varies from state to state. Some
states are fairly relaxed, (Driver cannot currently be drinking from a
booze bottle when the officer approaches the window). Others are more
strict, like North Carolina, where you cannot even mention the name of an
alcoholic beverage while within 50 feet of a motor vehicle.

Actually, last time I checked, NC allowed open containers in a vehicle, but
they could not be in reach or able to be passed to the driver, or something
like that...which basically meant, unless you drive a cement mixer and
insist on your drinking passengers ride in the tumbler, you could be in
trouble.

Check with your DMV, and (from someone who almost met St. Pete 'cuz of a
drunk driver), don't even think about drinking and driving. Thanks. :)

G. Matthew Bulley
Principal
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
Communications for Organizational Development
www.bulley-hewlett.com
(888) 468-4880 toll free