Insurers Commend Arkansas Legislature and Governor Hutchinson for Updating the Open Container Law

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Joe Woods, vice president, state government relations for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI), today issued the following statement regarding House Bill 1001, which prohibits possession of open containers of alcohol in vehicles to make more in line with federal guidelines.

“As the number of crashes continue to rise in Arkansas, it is important to keep a focus on the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol. There is no reason for someone to have an open container of alcohol in the car.

“We commend the legislature and Governor Asa Hutchinson for enacting the law on open containers and ensuring that it complied with the federal law. Safety is a main concern for insurers and this type of legislation is a critical step in making sure the person behind the wheel is not driving under the influence of alcohol, which can severely limit someone’s reaction time and ability to think clearly.”