2/28/05-The House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee killed a bill intended to toughen the state’s open container law.
HB1496, sponsored by Delegate Harry Purkey, R-Virginia Beach, sought to add a ban on open containers of alcohol in vehicles to state law.
As a result, Virginia will continue to be forced to spend a portion of its federal highway money on traffic safety.
The state is one of about a dozen nationwide that allows open alcohol containers in vehicles; last year, that distinction forced Virginia to divert 3 percent, or about $9 million, of its highway construction budget and put it to other uses.
The federal government mandated in 2001 that states either pass open container laws or spend a percentage of federal highway dollars on public safety projects such as drunken driving checkpoints and installing cables in medians to prevent crossover accidents.
Under Virginia law, drivers are prohibited from having an open alcoholic beverage, but passengers 21 years of age or older are free to drink while in a moving vehicle.
The bill called for a person to be fined $25 if an officer caught him or her with an open container of alcohol in the front of a motor vehicle.
Lawmakers who voted in opposition of the proposal cited concerns it would discourage designated drivers from transporting drinkers.

12/21/04-A proposal by Delegate Harry Purkey, R-Virginia Beach, would ban consumption and possession of open containers of alcohol in vehicles traveling public roadways. Violators would be fined $25.
HB1496 wouldn’t apply to recreational vehicles, taxis, charter buses or limousines.
Virginia is being forced to spend a chunk of its federal highway funds on traffic safety because the state doesn’t have a ban on open containers of alcohol in vehicles.
The state is one of about a dozen nationwide that allows open alcohol containers in vehicles; last year, that distinction forced Virginia to divert 3 percent, or about $9 million, of its highway construction budget and put it to other uses.
The federal government mandated in 2001 that states either pass open container laws or spend a percentage of federal highway dollars on public safety projects such as drunken driving checkpoints and installing cables in medians to prevent crossover accidents.
Under Virginia law, drivers are prohibited from having an open alcoholic beverage, but passengers 21 years of age or older are free to drink while in a moving vehicle.
For House bill status, call (804) 698-1510. In Virginia, call 1-800-892-6948.