In most states it is illegal to possess an open container of an alcoholic beverage in the passenger area of a motor vehicle on a public roadway or on the shoulder of a public roadway. These open container laws vary from state to state and a few states allow a passenger to possess and consume an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle.
Open container offenses are usually charged as a misdemeanor or as an infraction, and penalties may include a fine, driver’s license suspension, and jail time.
Open container laws are located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code, the transportation code, or the motor vehicle code.
In Rhode Island, it is illegal to possess an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a motor vehicle on a public highway. This is in accordance with Rhode Island General Laws Section 31-22-22, which prohibits the transportation of alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle unless the container is sealed and unopened. Violation of this law is typically considered a misdemeanor. Penalties for an open container violation can include fines and potentially points on the driver's license, which could affect insurance rates. However, Rhode Island law does not mandate a driver's license suspension or jail time for an open container offense. It's important to note that these laws apply to the driver and the passengers within the vehicle. The specific circumstances of the violation can affect the severity of the penalties imposed.