Is it legal to drive with an open alcoholic beverage container in a vehicle in Maryland?

In Maryland, it is illegal to have an open alcoholic beverage container in a vehicle, regardless of whether the driver is sober or if the container is located in the trunk. This law is in place to promote road safety and discourage behaviors that may lead to impaired driving. The intention behind this regulation is to minimize the risk of drinking and driving, as the presence of open alcohol can be a temptation for some individuals to consume it while operating a vehicle.

Other options suggest conditions under which it might be acceptable to have an open container, such as whether the driver is sober, if the container is in the trunk, or allowing passengers to have open containers. However, the law does not make these distinctions. The open container law strictly prohibits any open alcoholic beverages in vehicles to prevent potential misuse, thus ensuring that passengers and drivers adhere to a standard of safe driving practices.