Atlanta Man Cracks Open A Brown-Bagged Beatbox In A Self-Driving Waymo. Is It Legal?
“Just let me live my life and get me to my location please."
An Atlanta man posted himself brown-bagging a BeatBox alcoholic drink in the back of a Waymo, but is it legal? TikTok user Elijah (@lijahmoor) uploaded a video that shows him gripping one of the boxed boozy beverages as a Waymo autonomously drives itself, bragging about being able to “pre-game.”
It should be noted that he doesn’t film himself actually taking a sip of the BeatBox. However, Elijah does appear to stand by his decision to enjoy his beverage whilst cruising in the back of the driverless vehicle. He writes in a caption appended to the clip: “Just let me live my life and get me to my location please. I love #waymo and will always choose it if given the choice.”
Georgia Open Container Laws
According to a post by this Georgia law firm, having an opened bottle of booze within reach of a driver can be a serious offense in The Peach State, though the same law office indicates that this isn’t considered a misdemeanor or a felony, but rather a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of up to $200.
Now Trending
“The law in Georgia prohibits the consumption of alcoholic beverages or the possession of an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a motor vehicle on the roadway or shoulder of a public highway,” the post says, referencing Georgia Code §40-6-253. “The person charged with the offense will be the person who consumes the beverage or who is in possession of the open container. However, if a driver is alone in the vehicle with an open container in the passenger area, he/she can be charged."
Alcoholic beverages are defined as drinks that contain 0.5% alcohol by volume or more, and open containers are defined as drinks with seals that have been partially and/or fully opened. Additionally, passenger areas include front or back seats. If a driver has an open container inside a locked glovebox, or if they have a hatchback and it’s in the cargo area, that’s considered legal, too.
Exceptions To The Rule
Other legal resources further explain the law. There are indeed situations where passengers riding in the back of a car can enjoy an alcoholic beverage, including party buses and limousine services.
FROM THE TRENDING NEWS DESK
Viral bits from across the social media landscape
Our team of experts tracks what's trending so you don't have to—from viral videos to online debates that have everyone talking.
Also, if you go to a restaurant and purchase a bottle of wine, you can bring that open container in a car with you. However, a receipt must be provided for proof of purchase that they bought that wine at a restaurant that day, and the bottle must be resealed.
A blog post from this law firm claims passengers in the back of popular ride-sharing services can enjoy booze whilst in the backseat. It cites the aforementioned open container laws for the state. However, the site goes on to say that riders being driven in these services aren’t beholden to these rulings.
“Driving services such as Lyft, Uber, taxi's [sic], or limos are not subject to the open container rule. Motor vehicles designed, maintained, or used primarily for transporting people for money are not subject to the open container rule.”
But, the same write-up about taxi passengers partaking in alcoholic enjoyment says specific companies may have their own set of guidelines, meaning if it’s okay with your Uber driver that you’re drinking in the backseat, then you should be legally allowed to do so. However, if there’s signage in the car or a record of them telling you not to drink and you do so anyway, you could be on the hook for covering that traffic infraction.
Waymo’s Rider Rules
Unfortunately for Elijah and anyone looking to follow in his footsteps, Waymo doesn’t let you party in the backseat. According to Google’s terms of service for Waymo riders online, consuming alcohol is expressly prohibited. “Don’t smoke, vape, or consume drugs & alcohol in the car,” the tech company writes. In fact, passengers may be slapped with a $100 cleaning fee “for the first violation of smoking or vaping inside” Waymo cars.
Additionally, Google says subsequent infractions may incur more fees and a person’s account “could be impacted.”
And if that wasn’t clear enough, Google states, again, unequivocally: “Any drug or alcohol use inside the car is against the rules. Including bringing an open container.”
Judging from Elijah’s video, it looks like the BeatBox could still be sealed. And since he didn’t record himself actually opening the beverage and drinking it on camera, he may be in the clear.
InsideEVs has reached out to Elijah via TikTok comment for further information.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Woman Buys Cadillac EV. Then They Offer Her A Deal On EVgo
This Theft-Proof E-Bike Is A Cheat Code For NYC Streets
"The Motor Is Supposed To Last 1 Million Miles": Man Hits 360,000 Miles On His Model 3. Is That The Norm?
EVs Slashed Global Fuel Consumption Massively In 2025
"Dealerships Are Shady": Man Says Texas Toyota Dealership Agreed To Sell Highlander Hybrid For $26,900, Then Jacked Up The Price
The BMW iX3 Just Beat Every Competitor In This 620-Mile Road Trip Challenge
Can Waze Still Track The Police?