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(1) It is a traffic infraction to drink any
alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle when the
vehicle is upon a highway.
(2) It is a traffic infraction for a person to
have in his possession while in a motor vehicle upon
a highway, a bottle, can, or other receptacle
containing an alcoholic beverage if the container
has been opened or a seal broken or the contents
partially removed.
(3) It is a traffic infraction for the
registered owner of a motor vehicle, or the driver
if the registered owner is not then present in the
vehicle, to keep in a motor vehicle when the vehicle
is upon a highway, a bottle, can, or other
receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage which
has been opened or a seal broken or the contents
partially removed, unless the container is kept in
the trunk of the vehicle or in some other area of
the vehicle not normally occupied by the driver or
passengers if the vehicle does not have a trunk. A
utility compartment or glove compartment is deemed
to be within the area occupied by the driver and
passengers.
(4) This section does not apply to a public
conveyance that has been commercially chartered for
group use or to the living quarters of a motor home
or camper or, except as otherwise provided by RCW
66.44.250 or local law, to any passenger for
compensation in a for-hire vehicle licensed under
city, county, or state law, or to a privately-owned
vehicle operated by a person possessing a valid
operator's license endorsed for the appropriate
classification under chapter
46.25 RCW in the
course of his usual employment transporting
passengers at the employer's direction: PROVIDED,
That nothing in this subsection shall be construed
to authorize possession or consumption of an
alcoholic beverage by the operator of any vehicle
while upon a highway. |
