55-10-416.
(a) (1) No driver shall consume any alcoholic beverage or beer or possess
an open container of alcoholic beverage or beer while operating a motor
vehicle in this state.
(2) For purposes of this section:
(A) "Open container" means any container containing alcoholic
beverages or beer, the contents of which are immediately capable of
being consumed or the seal of which has been broken;
(B) An open container is in the possession of the driver when it is
not in the possession of any passenger and is not located in a closed
glove compartment, trunk or other nonpassenger area of the vehicle;
and
(C) A motor vehicle is in operation if its engine is operating, whether
or not the motor vehicle is moving.
(b) (1) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable
by fine only.
(2) For a violation of this section, a law enforcement officer shall
issue a citation in lieu of continued custody, unless the offender refuses
to sign and accept the citation, as provided in § 40-7-118.
(c) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prohibit
any municipality, by ordinance, or any county, by resolution, from prohibiting
the passengers in a motor vehicle from consuming or possessing an alcoholic
beverage or beer in an open container during the operation of such vehicle
by its driver, or be construed to limit the penalties authorized by
law for violation of such an ordinance or resolution. [Acts 1994, ch.
638, § 1.]