Can I wash my car if I'm drunk?

[jamei303]

Not really drunk just slightly over the drink drive limit. I know people have been charged for being drunk in charge while sat in their car with the keys, so was wondering if it's ok to wash it. This would involve having the keys and maybe doing stuff like activating the wipers.

[Getragdogleg]

On the road or private land ?

[No ideas for a name]

It is 11:25, Did you have a big session last night, or have you started early today?

[Leon R]

I suspect technically you could be charged if they really wanted to.

Particularly if you insist on using the windscreen wipers since that would mean keys in the ignition and sat in the drivers seat.

[Haltamer]

Washing the car is a favourite hangover cure :P

Do you live next to a police station staffed entirely by very bored traffic officers? If not, crack on

[Pica-Pica]

[quote=jamei303]Not really drunk just slightly over the drink drive limit. [quote=so called][
? 😵

[mat205125]

Having a beer on a sunny day whilst washing the car is a summer institution for me. Don't tell me that's illegal too

[Dave Hedgehog]

my understanding is you can be done for drunk in charge it the car is somewhere the public have access to

could you argue that the public have access to your drive if its connected to a footpath?

no:

The courts say that roads to which the public have access are:

Roads where the general public have access (not just a special class of the general public) AND
The public have access at least by the tolerance of the owner or proprietor of the road.

https://thedrivingsolicitor.co.uk/2019/03/11/road-...

Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Monday 7th June 12:02

[Durzel]

According to the letter of the law, yes you could be done for being drunk in charge.

In practice, you would have to be spotted AND they would have to believe that you're likely to drive. I would be surprised if the CPS decided it was in the public interest to prosecute given the context (car parked outside house, you washing it, etc).

If you got in and actually moved it, then all bets would be off imo.

[Psycho Warren]

Surely the defence here would be that while washing the car, there is no reasonable intention you would be driving it?

[Durzel]

Psycho Warren said:

Surely the defence here would be that while washing the car, there is no reasonable intention you would be driving it?

People do silly things when they're drunk.

It is fairly improbable I would've thought that the Police would actually arrest someone under the circumstances, and "in charge" would have to be tested in court, but if you have the keys and are drunk and near the car you could credibly be charged with being drunk in charge.

[Fat hippo]

Where do you draw the line?

If washing the car on the driveway, and say keys are in the house, rather than in your pocket, then you could still go inside and get the keys

[njw1]

Leave the key in the house whilst you're washing it?

[Watcher of the skies]

As long as you use the 2 bucket method. You can use the spare one to throw up in!

[slipknotted]

Closing any gates on your driveway (if you have either) would make it not public access? so you'd be doing your thing on private land with no public access. As someone above mentioned keys inside the house is probably a good shout as well.

In real life you should be fine as long as you're not swaying next to or in the car, etc, but I'd take the precautions lol

[BertBert]

why are you needing to work the windscreen wipers to wash the car just out of interest?

[deggles]

BertBert said:

why are you needing to work the windscreen wipers to wash the car just out of interest?

A lot of cars require activating the wipers to move them into their 'service' position, rather than their resting position, in order to lift them and clean the windscreen?

[Pica-Pica]

BertBert said:

why are you needing to work the windscreen wipers to wash the car just out of interest?

Could be the screen needs washing. On some cars (F30) you have to operate the wipers to get them into a vertical stopped position, so that you can fold them away from the screen without them fouling on the rear of the bonnet, (radio ready on, hold wiper switch in up position for 2+ seconds).

[SS2.]

So much paranoia in this thread.

[anonymous-user]

SS2. said:

So much paranoia in this thread.

Exactly! I’m normally coked out of my tits when I wash the car.