Open Container Laws

[Hello123]

Over weekend i got a ticket for having an open beer can on the beach.

What legal repercussions are there other then the fine?

87.1 2A Transport Liquor in open container.

No trying to get out of the ticket, but just wondering is this the correct charge? Isn't this the same charge as say a person having an open liquor bottle in a vehicle?

Thanks

[Sentry]

Just a fine AFAIK

[Traffic_Cop]

Yup. Same charge. Theres also one for the driver, which is transport within easy access of an occupant.

$115 fine. If you dont pay it, it will go to a warrant.

[relyt92]

Originally posted by Traffic_Cop
Yup. Same charge. Theres also one for the driver, which is transport within easy access of an occupant.

$115 fine. If you dont pay it, it will go to a warrant.

Is this only for open alcohol, or any alcohol? Say I went and bought a bottle of vodka or something and put it in the back seat, would I be subject to a fine if I got pulled over for something?

[Crystalrw]

Which beach were you on? Just curious which ones patrol and actually hand out fines.

May have to adjust my own habits.

[FraserB]

Originally posted by relyt92
Is this only for open alcohol, or any alcohol? Say I went and bought a bottle of vodka or something and put it in the back seat, would I be subject to a fine if I got pulled over for something?

Theres also one for the driver, which is transport within easy access of an occupant.

Can't have any booze within reach of the driver.

[Mibz]

Originally posted by Traffic_Cop
Yup. Same charge. Theres also one for the driver, which is transport within easy access of an occupant.

$115 fine. If you dont pay it, it will go to a warrant.

:/ The way that law is worded, it sounds like you can't have liquor within reach of -any- occupant, not just the driver.

[RY213]

There are beaches in Calgary?

[gretz]

Originally posted by Crystalrw
Which beach were you on? Just curious which ones patrol and actually hand out fines.

May have to adjust my own habits.

No shit eh... I was unaware it was illegal to have alcohol on beaches... Are there usually signs posted or is it because it is a public place? That's brutal, there is already a "drunk in public" fine, why does it matter if someone had a beer on a nice sunny day? Man have times changed (in the last 10 years)

[Seth1968]

Wow.

I'm breaking a "law" by purchasing a LEGAL product and having it on my front seat.

[Crystalrw]

I know the Auburn Bay beach doesn't allow alcohol, but I won't lie and say I haven't mixed a drink in a water bottle and brought it in..

Maybe they should lock me up!

[WithTheLightsOn]

Yeah, public drinking laws are just dumb. It's okay for me to pick up second-hand smoke from your cigarette, yet I'm the bad guy for minding my own business with a can of beer.

I'd really like to know who supports these laws. These people must exist, somewhere...

[dj_patm]

Go to court.
I have a friend who got one of these at the Stampede and the cop never showed up and thats during the stampede where I'm sure he gave out plenty of tickets for that date.

Your chances are a lot better then his for a random day at the beach. If he does show up just plead sorry and ask for a reduction.

Also, I wish we were allowed to drink in public here. God dammit Vegas was heaven for that.

Originally posted by WithTheLightsOn
I'd really like to know who supports these laws. These people must exist, somewhere...

MADD.

They're basically prohabitionists these days.

[dj_patm]

Originally posted by FraserB

Can't have any booze within reach of the driver.

Thats retarded. So even if its sealed? If it's sealed the driver obviously hasn't touched it. So fucking dumb.

Fuck I hate this countries retarded drinking laws.

[btimbit]

Originally posted by FraserB




Can't have any booze within reach of the driver.

I've always had a question about this. In my truck, anywhere I put it in the cab is going to be within reach of me. What should I legally do?

I usually try to put it on the floor under the rear seat so that it's obvious I'm not planning on leaning over and cracking a beer, but without actually hiding it.

Traffic_Cop, any insight?

[Seth1968]

Originally posted by btimbit


I've always had a question about this. In my truck, anywhere I put it in the cab is going to be within reach of me. What should I legally do?

I usually try to put it on the floor under the rear seat so that it's obvious I'm not planning on leaning over and cracking a beer, but without actually hiding it.

Traffic_Cop, any insight?

You're asking a cop to explain political motivation?

[Mitsu3000gt]

I thought the booze within arms reach of the driver thing only applied to open/non-sealed booze. As far as I know you can buy a case of beer or something, and it on the floor in front of your passenger seat or whatever.

I never put booze in the trunk because depending on what I buy I can't secure it. It's always in the passenger or rear seat foot wells.

[Hello123]

Sweet thank guys, so nothing criminal here just a simple fine.

[nismodrifter]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
I thought the booze within arms reach of the driver thing only applied to open/non-sealed booze. As far as I know you can buy a case of beer or something, and it on the floor in front of your passenger seat or whatever.

I never put booze in the trunk because depending on what I buy I can't secure it. It's always in the passenger or rear seat foot wells.

The law seems to state otherwise:
"Transportation of liquor (GLR)
87.1 (1) Liquor may be transported under section 83 of the Act only in accordance with
this section.
87.1 (2) Except as otherwise provided for in the Act or in a liquor licence, no person may
a. transport liquor unless the liquor is in a container that is capped, corked or
otherwise closed, whether or not the container has been previously opened;
b. transport liquor in a vehicle if the liquor is within easy access of an occupant
of the vehicle."

As Mibz said above, it seems that it would be illegal for ANY occupant of the vehicle to have close access to the alcohol. Putting a sealed case of beer in either the passenger/rear footwell would seem to fall under this as well.

[dj_patm]

Stupid law.