The current state open container law allows all of-age passengers in a car to drink, as long as the driver is not drinking. However, some cities around the state have made their open container laws stricter. State lawmakers have not looked into the issue of open containers in cars in two years. But groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) think it might be time for a change. Bud Balke is the Director of Court Monitoring with M.A.D.D. and hopes the governor will look into the issue.

"We would like to call for the governor, action to institute the governors DWI task force again," said Balke.

According to M.A.D.D.'s numbers, 4,897 people were injured in alcohol related accidents. And Balke says the numbers show that stricter open container laws can help.

"If a state has enacted a strong open container law it actually has diminished by 5 percent or more, in those states the fatalities and injury rate of alcohol crashes,"said Balke.

He also mentioned that alcohol industries may play a role in deciding the issue.

"It's actually something they have never backed when its been in the legislature, they've backed other laws like .08,  and some other alcohol laws, but they have never backed open container," said Balke.

But it's not just M.A.D.D. that thinks the law could change. Jefferson City resident Jill McDonald said she thinks the driver will be to tempted to drink if there is open alcohol in the car.

"I think if everybody in the cars drinking and there are open containers, the drivers going to be inclined to drink," said McDonald.

But Holts Summit resident Chris Buckland has a different view.

"I think the open container isn't the point. It's the point that the drivers need to be educated enough not to intoxicate themselves while driving," said Buckland. "Their friends can do it."

There are a number of Missouri states that have amended the law to include passengers, including the city of Columbia. In cities with those ordinances, it is illegal for passengers to carry open containers

Cities with Open Container Ordinances
Bates City
Bellefontaine Neighbors
Cabool
Clarence
Clarkson Valley
Columbia
Crystal City
Cuba
Elsberry
Foristell
Harrisonville
Hermann
Independence
Lamar
Lake Lotawanna
Lexington
Liberty
Licking
Linn
Maryville
Neosho
New Franklin
Normandy
Osage Beach
Salisbury
St. Charles
St. John
Trenton
Verona
Warson Woods
Weston