It is illegal to drive within arm's reach of alcohol.

The Law Explained

Lubbock, the home of Texas Tech University, was famously a dry county for decades, completely banning the sale of packaged liquor. To combat drunk driving and bootlegging, local laws strictly mandated that any transported alcohol must be locked far away in the trunk. Having a bottle anywhere in the passenger cabin, even if fully sealed, was once considered intent to consume while driving.