What does the open container law prohibit?

The open container law specifically prohibits having an open bottle of alcohol inside the car while driving. This law is designed to reduce the risk of drinking and driving by preventing drivers and passengers from having access to open alcoholic beverages while the vehicle is in motion. The rationale behind this restriction is to minimize distractions and the temptation to consume alcohol while engaged in the act of driving, which can significantly impair judgment and reaction times.

While the law also indirectly relates to consuming alcohol while driving, the main focus is on the presence of open containers. Drivers can be cited for having any type of open alcohol container in the vehicle, regardless of whether they are consuming it or not. Other options like driving without a seatbelt or carrying any type of beverage do not directly relate to the open container law, which specifically targets alcoholic beverages in open containers.