Being parked at the side of a road and alcohol (1 Viewer)

[rnb100]

Last year I predominantly used camp sites, but I'm planning on doing a bit more off-grid in the campervan this year. I started thinking about being parked up somewhere and PC Plod raps on the window, spots a glass of wine in your hand and the whole world of being drunk in charge of a vehicle comes into play. After a bit of googling, the basic advice of never starting the engine, keep the keys out the ignition, don't sit in the drivers seat if it's in the forward position. All common sense suggestions and ones I'll always adhere to.

Has anyone ever had any altercations with the boys in blue whilst parked up, or do they tend to leave you alone when they see your blinds are closed and you're not bothering anyone?

Thanks,

Arron.

 

[Paulypaul]

And just to add, there have been 3 ex Police Officers with many decades of experience on here stating that the “don’t take the p@ss“ rule applies here. In the highly unlikely event a copper does find them selves at a loose end and decides to wreak vengence on that scourge of society the Motorhomer, I suggest don’t get falling down drunk, be courteous and all will be well.

Unless they come out with the old chestnut of "I can smell cannabis " then it doesn't matter how polite you are, they're on a mission.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Unless they come out with the old chestnut of "I can smell cannabis " then it doesn't matter how polite you are, they're on a mission.

That’s going off post now, Surprising how sweaty socks can smell like Cannabis

 

[billym]

My pick up, my motorhome, my motorbike and my wife’s car are all parked either in my garage or outside my house now. I’ve had three pints of beer. So well over the limit. Nobody else is in charge of these vehicles, just me. Can I be charged with being drunk in charge? If not why not? How is me being in charge of my vehicles here any different than being in charge of them in a lay-by?

I don't tend to like these online advice on legal points but as each point is referenced with a court judgment I thought it may be useful.

Road or other public place: Where do driving laws apply?

Super market car park – is it a road or other public place You have to be in a road or other public place to commit most driving offences. There are a few exceptions like keeping a vehicle with no insurance, not having an MoT or stealing a car. That means you can’t be guilty […]

www.google.com

 

[cmcardle75]

My pick up, my motorhome, my motorbike and my wife’s car are all parked either in my garage or outside my house now. I’ve had three pints of beer. So well over the limit. Nobody else is in charge of these vehicles, just me.

Can I be charged with being drunk in charge?

No.

If not why not?

Because "in charge" means not only that you are in proximity to the vehicle whilst possessing the keys, but that there is a reasonable suspicion that you intend to drive the vehicle.

How is me being in charge of my vehicles here any different than being in charge of them in a lay-by?

It is not different. Neither is an offence if you are able to prove that you had no intention of driving them. (Actually the garaged car is in a genuinely private place and you can't be guilty of being in-charge of that regardless of intent. You can even legally drive it within the garage, although this is not recommended if you value its structural integrity.)

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[deleted79651]

Unless they come out with the old chestnut of "I can smell cannabis " then it doesn't matter how polite you are, they're on a mission.

'Don't let the grass grow under your feet; smoke it instead ...'

Steve

 

[Paulypaul]

'Don't let the grass grow under your feet; smoke it instead ...'

Steve

I dont smoke, period, so it would be interesting? Perhaps if you were in the process of knocking up a vegan meal it could be mistaken for the smell of a spliff? That's plant based isn't it?

 

[deleted79651]

I dont smoke, period, so it would be interesting? Perhaps if you were in the process of knocking up a vegan meal it could be mistaken for the smell of a spliff? That's plant based isn't it?

I have no idea, Pauly. Elaine and I neither drink nor smoke and we've been banned from the M&S Beige Trousers & Cardigans Support Group because we're too boring, even for them ...

Steve

 

[Wyvern]

But there is a statutory defence to this, which if raised does require them to prove intent (or disprove your defence, if you prefer).

See the post below for my fuller explanation from 2015, when my knowledge was more current!
https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/drink-driving.117817/post-1598033

Does t work if all occupants legally allowed to drive the vehicle are over the limit and if they are not then this thread is irrelevant.

 

[Wyvern]

Unless they come out with the old chestnut of "I can smell cannabis " then it doesn't matter how polite you are, they're on a mission.

Not so sure....I always much preferred people spaced out on week rather than pissed.....never violent and in love with the world. The drunk just want a fight!

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[Charlie9038]

Forget it mate, pay for a site and enjoy the privacy & lack of road noise.

 

[BillyKontiki]

That’s going off post now, Surprising how sweaty socks can smell like Cannabis

You want to change your suppler mate.

 

[westhamman]

Now I do not intend to be abusive to anyone on here as it's against the forum rules, but those ex county force officers from the country side, what do they know, apart from knowing sheep rustling laws.
Anyone one remember the I've Met The Stickers.
Hendon trained early 80's
We never had many motorhomes in central London but I've never seen it reported anywhere, legit motorhomer being arrested for DIC . I have known several colleagues arrested DIC in there own cars.

 

[Wyvern]

Now I do not intend to be abusive to anyone on here as it's against the forum rules, but those ex county force officers from the country side, what do they know, apart from knowing sheep rustling laws.
Anyone one remember the I've Met The Stickers.
Hendon trained early 80's
We never had many motorhomes in central London but I've never seen it reported anywhere, legit motorhomer being arrested for DIC . I have known several colleagues arrested DIC in there own cars.

Devon and Cornwall for 27 years...and there isn’t any sheep rustling....that’s a date night!

 

[Mclouis700]

I can remember half a dozen cases in the Northern Peak District between 1980-1995. No knowledge of any incidents after that.

I also remember a knock at 2.30 in the morning in a Lake district Lay-bye in the early 80's when the family were all asleep after a late night drive up from the Midlands .The reason you are parked without lights in a Lay-bye Driver please move on!! So I did to the next Lay-bye in the next County.

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[Rob1562]

Now I do not intend to be abusive to anyone on here as it's against the forum rules, but those ex county force officers from the country side, what do they know, apart from knowing sheep rustling laws.
Anyone one remember the I've Met The Stickers.
Hendon trained early 80's
We never had many motorhomes in central London but I've never seen it reported anywhere, legit motorhomer being arrested for DIC . I have known several colleagues arrested DIC in there own cars.

I do indeed remember the "I've met the MET" stickers and remember intimately all the stuff, including TV's etc that the same MET officers nicked from their county cousins while on mutual aid in the miners strike !
I also remember many potential officers on my selection board who didn't meet the grade but were told in no uncertain terms "although you didn't score enough points to join here.....we'll send your papers to the MET, they'll have you there".
I too don't wish to cause offence but my experience of officers who police large metropolitan areas (not just London), do so in a very different way to those who work in more rural locations.
Regards, Rob.

 

[deleted79651]

Devon and Cornwall for 27 years...and there isn’t any sheep rustling....that’s a date night!

Does you mean you have to dress up, then? Dinner Jacket, cummerbund and wellies ...

Steve

 

[Land Yachties]

I do indeed remember the "I've met the MET" stickers and remember intimately all the stuff, including TV's etc that the same MET officers nicked from their county cousins while on mutual aid in the miners strike !
I also remember many potential officers on my selection board who didn't meet the grade but were told in no uncertain terms "although you didn't score enough points to join here.....we'll send your papers to the MET, they'll have you there".
I too don't wish to cause offence but my experience of officers who police large metropolitan areas (not just London), do so in a very different way to those who work in more rural locations.
Regards, Rob.

I well remember the I've met the Met stickers and the competition's to see who could stick them with photographic proof in the most obscure places or distances from London.
I was also one of those who failed to get in to a county Mounty force as I had no private school background. Advised to join the Met and reapply. After completing my probation period the last place I was going was to a county force. Think I probably gained more experience in a week of night duty walking beat 4 in Fulham than a year in Gloucestershire.
Don't ever recall dealing with any motorhomes but did have nick a few DICs. Last thing I would have been interested in is someone sleeping in their MH after having a few beers

 

[Otter Spotter]

That’s going off post now,

I well remember the I've met the Met stickers and the competition's to see who could stick them with photographic proof in the most obscure places or distances from London.
I was also one of those who failed to get in to a county Mounty force as I had no private school background. Advised to join the Met and reapply. After completing my probation period the last place I was going was to a county force. Think I probably gained more experience in a week of night duty walking beat 4 in Fulham than a year in Gloucestershire.
Don't ever recall dealing with any motorhomes but did have nick a few DICs. Last thing I would have been interested in is someone sleeping in their MH after having a few beers

Now boys and girls let’s not have this thread reduced to ‘my force was better than yours’ show a solid front please!

 

[Rob1562]

Now boys and girls let’s not have this thread reduced to ‘my force was better than yours’ show a solid front please!

Agreed........small bite on my behalf !

I think the truth is that no-one has ,or should have, anything to worry about re-DIC, unless they bring attention to themselves by doing something ridiculous and then behaving in the same vein if unfortunate enough to have an interaction with the police.

I have absolutely no knowledge of a MHer being dealt with for DIC. As for being asked to move locations, then the only time I can imagine this being a problem is if parked in a lay-by (other than in a 30mph limit) without parking lights....thats easily rectified....put your lights on.

Regards, Rob.

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[steve69]

Personally, I worry more about someone other than the police knocking on my door......I'm sure you get my drift.

 

[westhamman]

On a wet, windy night, Scarlett Johansson, knocked on my door, please Westhamman its wet and windy can I come in I'm sorry but Mrs westhamman would be taking dog for a walk a long walk.

 

[billym]

We never had many motorhomes in central London but I've never seen it reported anywhere, legit motorhomer being arrested for DIC .

Me neither but I never thought I'd ever see the Met Police raiding a Mass in a Catholic church in Balham either.

 

[westhamman]

A couple of weeks ago police were criticised by all and sundry after the after the vigil for that poor girl. The result of the investigation the Police did nothing wrong. The police were I presume called the church by a local resident, on entering the venue if they were concerned that breaches had occurred they are duty bound to act. There are often 2 sides to a newspaper story and be honest who would trust the catholic church. Not Catholics the church.

 

[iandsm]

It's a grey area and obvious advice is not to drink.
but if your blinds were drawn and seats turned around I think you'd be unlucky to be pulled.
Police friends of mine say if you are on publicly accessible land (and this would include a pub car park) you are fair game.

I’ll admit it , We sometimes go to Ayr seafront for the night , we do the bars & an Indian when pubs shut , always a good night , I put the main keys in the garage , if the police asked me to move I would flatly refuse as that would be breaking the law

and if they thought you were unfit thorough drink so would they.

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[Peter and Julie]

As a Transport Company owner I would be very concerned that you were drinking parked up overnight

Guessing you have very grey hair then? and not through age. Virtually every Euro driver including me had a couple of stubby bottle beers at the end of the day whilst watching a DVD.

 

[iandsm]

Since when did the fundament basis of our legal system change. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

error

 

[iandsm]

Now I do not intend to be abusive to anyone on here as it's against the forum rules, but those ex county force officers from the country side, what do they know, apart from knowing sheep rustling laws.
Anyone one remember the I've Met The Stickers.
Hendon trained early 80's
We never had many motorhomes in central London but I've never seen it reported anywhere, legit motorhomer being arrested for DIC . I have known several colleagues arrested DIC in there own cars.

Perhaps not abusive but a pretty silly comment, Most County Force officers are certainly as good at what they do as Met officers, perhaps in some cases better. and I doubt they would make such a statement about people who belong to other forces. But then of course you are joking, aren't you.

 

[billym]

A couple of weeks ago police were criticised by all and sundry after the after the vigil for that poor girl. The result of the investigation the Police did nothing wrong. The police were I presume called the church by a local resident, on entering the venue if they were concerned that breaches had occurred they are duty bound to act. There are often 2 sides to a newspaper story and be honest who would trust the catholic church. Not Catholics the church.

It wasn't a dig at the Met, more just pointing out one should always expect the unexpected.

 

[Clive Mott]

Simples. If parked roadside dont drink.
If parked in a car park with bed made up and front seats swivelled, keys put away then enjoy.

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[BOWHOUSE52]

Hi all all very mind blowing stuff my answer especially using Britstops is to leave your keys with the pub Landlord as well as doing all the other things like blinds closed drivers seat turned and locked in reverse position