Sleeping in a car whilst drunk - Legal or not?
Discussion
I'm going on a stagger this weekend and booked to stay in a hostel which to put it nicely I don't even think a homeless person would thank you for, a lovely 10 person dorm. So... if the worst comes to the worst, can I sleep in my car with the seats down lying in the boot area without being prosecuted for being in charge whilst drunk.
My understanding is, if the keys aren't in the car then it's ok. So I either leave them with a friend or outside the car somewhere.
Out of interest, how do camper van owners get around this problem? Surely they have the odd glass\bottle when on site?
My understanding is, if the keys aren't in the car then it's ok. So I either leave them with a friend or outside the car somewhere.
Out of interest, how do camper van owners get around this problem? Surely they have the odd glass\bottle when on site?
The absolute safest option is to simply not have the keys:
On your person
Anywhere in the vehicle
So leaving them at a friends house or with friends is your ultimate option as there is no possible way you can be driving the vehicle.
Some have said keys in the boot - but personally I think you're taking a risk with the keys anywhere inside the car.
On your person
Anywhere in the vehicle
So leaving them at a friends house or with friends is your ultimate option as there is no possible way you can be driving the vehicle.
Some have said keys in the boot - but personally I think you're taking a risk with the keys anywhere inside the car.
Its a weird law as even if your intention is to sleep and not drive you are still drunk in charge of vehicle.
Safest will be to put up with the hostel.
If you have had a skinfull and are prepared to put up with sleeping in your car, then a hostel will not be be a problem regardless of how grotty it is.
Safest will be to put up with the hostel.
If you have had a skinfull and are prepared to put up with sleeping in your car, then a hostel will not be be a problem regardless of how grotty it is.
I think your ok sleeping in at as long as you can't start it. Friend once went through some hard times, then his car broke down so he decided to sit in it and drink the crate he'd just bought. Plod turned up and tried to do him for drink driving, he pointed out car was broken, plod tried the ignition and found he was right then let him carry on!
tim2100 said:
Its a weird law as even if your intention is to sleep and not drive you are still drunk in charge of vehicle.
Safest will be to put up with the hostel.
If you have had a skinfull and are prepared to put up with sleeping in your car, then a hostel will not be be a problem regardless of how grotty it is.
Thanks, so this is the official stance?Safest will be to put up with the hostel.
If you have had a skinfull and are prepared to put up with sleeping in your car, then a hostel will not be be a problem regardless of how grotty it is.
It's more about getting away from everyone else
I'm the lightest sleeper even with a drink in me. Sharing a room with 9 others is not appealing. StottyZr said:
I think your ok sleeping in at as long as you can't start it. Friend once went through some hard times, then his car broke down so he decided to sit in it and drink the crate he'd just bought. Plod turned up and tried to do him for drink driving, he pointed out car was broken, plod tried the ignition and found he was right then let him carry on!
Imagine how that chat would have gone if the car just needed to sit for a while and it burst into life when the cop tried to start it 
Cop: "Do you want the good news, or the bad news, sir?"
Don't do it!!
I look after lots and lots of people who get accused of being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle. You can defend it by showing you had no intention to drive whilst still over the limit - but that's a real uphill battle and you often have to get a phamacologists report (£££). You face 10 points or a discretionary ban if convicted and a hefty fine.
Don't listen to the park in a private car park argument. If the public have access to the car park (pub/hotel/supermarket) its still covered by the road traffic acts...!
I look after lots and lots of people who get accused of being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle. You can defend it by showing you had no intention to drive whilst still over the limit - but that's a real uphill battle and you often have to get a phamacologists report (£££). You face 10 points or a discretionary ban if convicted and a hefty fine.
Don't listen to the park in a private car park argument. If the public have access to the car park (pub/hotel/supermarket) its still covered by the road traffic acts...!
By the way the campervan drivers don't get charged because they have a proper bed in the back and they find it easier to argue that they had no intention to drive. The police think that you are more likely to wake up cold and uncomfortable in a car and chance it and therefore they think you will find it hard to raise this argument in a car - and trust me you will.
Ms Demeanor said:
Don't do it!!
I look after lots and lots of people who get accused of being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle. You can defend it by showing you had no intention to drive whilst still over the limit - but that's a real uphill battle and you often have to get a phamacologists report (£££). You face 10 points or a discretionary ban if convicted and a hefty fine.
Don't listen to the park in a private car park argument. If the public have access to the car park (pub/hotel/supermarket) its still covered by the road traffic acts...!
Thanks, advice taken on board. So this even applies if I leave the keys with a friend inside the hostel?I look after lots and lots of people who get accused of being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle. You can defend it by showing you had no intention to drive whilst still over the limit - but that's a real uphill battle and you often have to get a phamacologists report (£££). You face 10 points or a discretionary ban if convicted and a hefty fine.
Don't listen to the park in a private car park argument. If the public have access to the car park (pub/hotel/supermarket) its still covered by the road traffic acts...!
Loads of threads about this, and the general concensus is don't.
If you really must, perhaps hide the keys outside somewhere and explain to plod that you lost the keys whilst drinking. They search you/the car, they won't find any means of you being 'in charge of the vehicle.
OK, not entirly honest, but how could they prove otherwise? (when you sobered up, you remembered where you 'lost' them
)
If you really must, perhaps hide the keys outside somewhere and explain to plod that you lost the keys whilst drinking. They search you/the car, they won't find any means of you being 'in charge of the vehicle.
OK, not entirly honest, but how could they prove otherwise? (when you sobered up, you remembered where you 'lost' them
)The weather's taken a turn for the better... cheapo tent from Argos/Millets? Safer than the car option - I have read threads on this here before, IIRC even folks on campsites have been done for DIC as the campsite is a place that the public have access to. It's just not worth the hassle.
Really grinds my gears, this one.
Until the wheels have moved, the car is totally harmless.
Why make a criminal out of the guy who does the right thing by not driving, choosing instead to sleep it off in the pub car park.
He's acted responsibly, surely, not dangerously?
And as for giving his keys to someone else - don't we all have a duty to our insurers to take proper care and not put property unnecessarily at risk of theft?
Bad law.
Until the wheels have moved, the car is totally harmless.
Why make a criminal out of the guy who does the right thing by not driving, choosing instead to sleep it off in the pub car park.
He's acted responsibly, surely, not dangerously?
And as for giving his keys to someone else - don't we all have a duty to our insurers to take proper care and not put property unnecessarily at risk of theft?
Bad law.
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