“There’s nothing wrong with setting it on the seat beside you, provided that it’s sealed. If not, then it has to be out of the reach of the driver. So, if it’s a partially consumed bottle, then you have to have it in the backseat or the trunk. Partially consumed alcohol can be sitting next to someone if they’re not in control of the vehicle. But should there be an investigation into someone’s poor driving…and there’s a partially consumed bottle in the backseat next to a passenger, we’ll want to make sure no one’s drinking in the vehicle, and that container of alcohol is staying closed. To avoid those conversations, the trunk is the best place to store it.”—Samantha Bigley, OPP constable in Bracebridge, Ont.
This article was originally published in the Winter 2020 issue of Cottage Life.
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