DRINK DRIVING - CAMPSITE AT SILVERSTONE

[SilverSparky]

During the weekend of F1 at Siverstone my son was arrested for drink driving, The fact is the campsite had no roads and was on a farmers field, The fact that everybody was not wearing seatbelts using mini motos, pit bikes, cars doing hand brake turns, and childen driving parents cars seem not to have any bearing. I have spoken to the village policman who was shocked, but said if the public is allowed in the drink driving rule apply. BEWARE

[Greendubber]

A public place is any place to which the public has access to at the material time, whether by payment or otherwise. This can be a field that is private land, but for the purpose of the event where the public are paying for access or are allowed access it becomes a public place.

Was he asked to leave and then locked up once outside and on the road?. I believe that's what some venues do, make people leave and make a call to the local BIB.

[johnnywb]

One of my friends was being investigated under the charge of 'causing death by dangerous driving' after a tragic accident at some horse trials (a quad he was driving over turned and killed his best friend). The entire case rested on whether the gate to the field was open or closed at the time. Closed meant it was a private field, open meant it was public land.

[SilverSparky]

The site was protected by security gaurds and we had to pay to stay for the 3 nights, The security people parked the van in the site until we left on Sunday, The RAC recovery drivers and security gaurds were as shocked as we were when he was arrested.

[peterguk]

I presume your son has no reason to complain. Still able to kill or injure in a field full of general public.

[^Slider^]

It would still be a public place and as such drink drive would be correct. The fact that there are other members of the public there regardless of wether they need to pay or not means it is a public place.

[groomi]

1) Is it safe to drive while under the influence of alcohol?

2) Is it potentially more dangerous to drive in a field (with pedestrians) with no clear right of way, than on a public highway?



Combine the two and I have little sympathy.

[SilverSparky]

My bigest concern is that in discussions with friends and other people who go to events that they can be prosecuted.

The time was 3am in the morning in a wide open area with no other persons about. The complaint was due to him doing handbreak turns. We had just walked back from the fair area which was a good 2 miles and when getting back there was some lads doing the samething, after they stoped he thought he woluld have a go and thats was why someone else camping must of phoned the police. They called becuse of noise, even though air horns and fireworks were going off constantly. I have been going for over 7 years and I believe nobody would class the areas as a place that road laws apply.

We have always taken off road motorbikes, go karts and not once have I known or been warned of the risk.

[Vesuvius 996]

He got beered up.

He drove.


End of.

[vonhosen]

Vesuvius 996 said:

He got beered up.

He drove.


End of.

And handbrake turns, with someone there obviously to complain about it all.

No sympathy here, don't drink & drive.

[nutcase]

groomi said:

1) Is it safe to drive while under the influence of alcohol?

2) Is it potentially more dangerous to drive in a field (with pedestrians) with no clear right of way, than on a public highway?



Combine the two and I have little sympathy.

As an aside (and I say this seriously), does anyone actually know what the accident rate was like before the drink driving laws came into force? Was it absolutely, mentally high? Surely this is also due to the fact that car safety was crap at the time and fewer people wore seatbelts etc?

[RaksP]

seems a bit harsh as there were obviously a lot of other laws being broken by other people and they should ALL have been dealt with in the same manner (but as we already know its one law for some and another for others!)...however even i cant condone drink driving in any situation.

[^Slider^]

How is being arrested for drink drive harsh??

If there is a complaint and he is the only one seen driving then he would be dealt with and was dealt with.

[RaksP]

^Slider^ said:

How is being arrested for drink drive harsh??

harsh because he obviously thought it was a private plot and so didnt realise he was breaking any laws.

^Slider^ said:

If there is a complaint and he is the only one seen driving then he would be dealt with and was dealt with.

SilverSparky said:

The fact that everybody was not wearing seatbelts using mini motos, pit bikes, cars doing hand brake turns, and childen driving parents cars seem not to have any bearing.

seems as though there were others breaking the law too!

Edited by RaksP on Thursday 9th August 17:25

[^Slider^]

Fair point, But if 2 bib turn up for the complaint, how are they to deal with everyone there.

Also were they doing this in view of the BiB?

Its down to the driver to make themselves aware of road traff law especially where the loss of a license is a big probability.

[s2art]

^Slider^ said:

How is being arrested for drink drive harsh??

If there is a complaint and he is the only one seen driving then he would be dealt with and was dealt with.

Being done for DD for driving in the middle of a field a fair way from anyone is a bit harsh by definition. Cant beleive thats what the law intended.

[vonhosen]

s2art said:

^Slider^ said:

How is being arrested for drink drive harsh??

If there is a complaint and he is the only one seen driving then he would be dealt with and was dealt with.

Being done for DD for driving in the middle of a field a fair way from anyone is a bit harsh by definition. Cant beleive thats what the law intended.

Well someone was there to see it & complain about the behaviour, whilst Police were also there to arrest.

[s2art]

^Slider^ said:

It would still be a public place and as such drink drive would be correct. The fact that there are other members of the public there regardless of wether they need to pay or not means it is a public place.

With 'the right to roam' where isnt a ublic place? Or in other words how far away from 'the public' have you got to be?

[Mr_annie_vxr]

s2art said:

^Slider^ said:

It would still be a public place and as such drink drive would be correct. The fact that there are other members of the public there regardless of wether they need to pay or not means it is a public place.

With 'the right to roam' where isnt a ublic place? Or in other words how far away from 'the public' have you got to be?

Well not being on a campsite handbrake turning whilst drunk for a start.

This is not a field in the middle of nowhere with nobody about. This is a campsite, by definition there will be people there many who will be asleep or also intoxicated. Not a safe place to drive sober let alone drunk. As for handbrake turning.

This in fact is exactly why the law includes public places.

[saxmund]

Just as a matter of interest, would it still be classed as a public place if it was a "closed" event, ie a members only event where you had to be a member of the club or society running it to gain access?