Just heard about a strange story, and I'm curious to know about what you folks in the LE community would say about it.
A guy, lets call him "Bjorn", was having a small holiday get-together at his house. A few family members, a few friends, a mix of children and adults. Bjorn and a couple of the guys were having a drink or two. A decision was made to see a movie. Bjorn says his SUV is big enough to fit everyone. Bjorn's gf volunteers to drive, because Bjorn has been drinking. They drive a couple towns away to the theatre, catch the film, 90 minutes later they are back on the road again heading for home, Bjorn's gf is driving again.
On the way home, Bjorn's gf says she wants a Diet Coke, and pulls in to a convenience store. Bjorn and his gf go in to the store, the other friends and relatives stay behind in the truck, chatting about the movie.
Bjorn and his gf come back to the car. The gf cracks open her Diet Coke. Bjorn hands bottles of water to the folks in the back, and is met by a chorus of "Thanks".
As the gf eases the truck out of the driveway, the sound of a bottle opening can be heard. It isn't a bottle of water. The youngest of the group (a seventh grader), says "Uncle Bjorn, what did you get to drink?"
Bjorn answered, "A Sam Adams"
Bjorn's gf seemed unfazed at the prospect of driving Bjorn's SUV with Bjorn riding shotgun, pounding a brewski. However, at least one of the adults in the back two rows was extremely uncomfortable.
When I was told this story, I turned to the person telling and asked "So what did you do?"
The person said they didn't know what they could do. They thought about calling the police, but was worried about family repercussions (no way to make a private phone call in an SUV). They had also heard stories about how "everyone can get in trouble" if there is an open container in the car, and was worried that they would be arrested themselves if they tried to make a report. If this sounds naive...its because the person telling me the story is young (college-age). As far as I know, the young person decided to just keep it cool, and everyone made it home without incident.
I know y'all can't give legal advice....but if a young person came up to you and asked what to do if they found themselves in a car where someone (other than the driver) had an open container, what would you tell them?
A guy, lets call him "Bjorn", was having a small holiday get-together at his house. A few family members, a few friends, a mix of children and adults. Bjorn and a couple of the guys were having a drink or two. A decision was made to see a movie. Bjorn says his SUV is big enough to fit everyone. Bjorn's gf volunteers to drive, because Bjorn has been drinking. They drive a couple towns away to the theatre, catch the film, 90 minutes later they are back on the road again heading for home, Bjorn's gf is driving again.
On the way home, Bjorn's gf says she wants a Diet Coke, and pulls in to a convenience store. Bjorn and his gf go in to the store, the other friends and relatives stay behind in the truck, chatting about the movie.
Bjorn and his gf come back to the car. The gf cracks open her Diet Coke. Bjorn hands bottles of water to the folks in the back, and is met by a chorus of "Thanks".
As the gf eases the truck out of the driveway, the sound of a bottle opening can be heard. It isn't a bottle of water. The youngest of the group (a seventh grader), says "Uncle Bjorn, what did you get to drink?"
Bjorn answered, "A Sam Adams"
Bjorn's gf seemed unfazed at the prospect of driving Bjorn's SUV with Bjorn riding shotgun, pounding a brewski. However, at least one of the adults in the back two rows was extremely uncomfortable.
When I was told this story, I turned to the person telling and asked "So what did you do?"
The person said they didn't know what they could do. They thought about calling the police, but was worried about family repercussions (no way to make a private phone call in an SUV). They had also heard stories about how "everyone can get in trouble" if there is an open container in the car, and was worried that they would be arrested themselves if they tried to make a report. If this sounds naive...its because the person telling me the story is young (college-age). As far as I know, the young person decided to just keep it cool, and everyone made it home without incident.
I know y'all can't give legal advice....but if a young person came up to you and asked what to do if they found themselves in a car where someone (other than the driver) had an open container, what would you tell them?