Thinks there was bit of a debate about this a few months back.. lots of opinions on that thread, these are my views on it..

I would never have a drink if I'm parked on a public street, or a lay-by off a public highway, just too risky, even if you're asleep in the back.

If I'm on private land, a fair way off the highway, then I'd be inclined to maybe have a couple..

 

Like Russ said. You can be charged with drink driving on private land if the public have access to it, so moving your van a few feet on a campsite while drunk is enough. Likewise, if you're parked on a public highway and are drunk inside the vehicle, you are on dangerous ground.

Personally, I wouldn't sleep in a van in a public space unless I was sure I could get a good night's sleep without being woken up and breathalised, so a decent set of curtains would be a good start I:.

 

Cheers lads
I thought as much but being a campervan wasn't sure if the rules were different
If in doubt stick to coffee...lol
T:

 

If you have the keys on you & yes you can get done for D & D as the law say you may want to drive home.
I drive HGV & we are told if we drink & got keys on you sitting in side the vehicle you nicked ??

 

Interesting read....But I don't think the cps would bring a prosecution if you were over the limit to the extent that by morning you'd be legal.

Not sure the police would either so long as you're not parked illegally (which in the case of wild camping might well be the case).
After all they're primarily interested in catching drunk drivers not drunk sleepers.

Personally I stick to max of 3 pints.

Have never read a post of being charged with DD while sleeping in a campervan.

 

There have been lots of threads on this subject on many different forums,and so far nobody has ever heard of anyone getting done for this.
I think they would have to prove that you intended to drive.
should the police come knocking then just don't answer

 

It's a very tricky one to tackle this?!

I think It would all depend on the mindset of the police officer and also, where your parked. If you're in a country park for example and in tucked up in bed i your pyjamas, then they may be less lenient on you.
However, if your parked up in Tesco's carpark and in bed minus your shoe and sock but otherwise dressed, they may take a different approach. Anything near or on a major carriageway will instant;y cause you drama's. They could argue that you saw the police car pull up and you quickly climbed into the back to pretend your asleep. Wild camping could also cause issues if it is deemed unsafe for you to be sleeping there. Things like that is how they'll bounce you if they can't find evidence to say where you came from and how long you'd been there before going to bed.

 

Oh, and don't ignore them if they do repeatedly knock, they'll use the law as well. Public safety will be the overarching umbrella as they'll state that they saw you in the van and thought you were dying or in serious danger etc..... Smashed windows on a van and a potential court case and ban.

 

Until somebody gets arrested for this then who knows, every body can give there opinion only.

When I'm asleep in me van, whether on a campsite or wild camping, I'm in me bed in me boxers, curtains shut, thermal blinds on windows and normally a pile of clothes or other camping stuff on the drivers seat, I'd like to think a decent copper wouldn't try to do me, and if he did I'd like to think if it went to court then the judge would see I had no intent of driving whilsted drunk.

If it bothers you don't drink simples

 

Down here we barely see a copper in the day let alone in some quiet place the middle of the night.

 

Its not real camping without cider A:

LOL:

 

Not real wild camping either if you're doing it in a van and not a tent I:

 

A few years back me and the misses toured Europe and in Spain near Santandaer we went to a rave\ gig on the beach everybody had parked up on the head on the grass when it started to p!!s rain . cops roll up and got everybody maybe 30 vans to move out to the road for safety reasons nobody was
Sober .... Good stuff from the Garda national.....T:

 

I went to college with a guy that met up with a bunch of his work colleagues one night at the pub , he had a few to drink and instead of getting a taxi home decided to bed down in the back his estate car to sleep it off .
He got woken by the boys in blue and got a ban because he had the keys on him .

 

, if you have a proper bed built in a van then you can drink and not be prosecuted under drink drive rules, if you are in a car then you will be done driving or not under drunk in charge but a campervan/motorhome have built in beds for means of sleeping

the driver must make sure that the motorhome is already parked up for the night, and that it will not need to be moved later on in the evening. Drivers should make sure their motorhomes do not cause an obstruction, as after drinking it will be illegal to move it. Once in their motorhomes for the nights, drivers must never turn on the engine, put the key in the ignition, or sit in the front seat, as all of these can give police reasonable cause to think you are attempting to drive the vehicle. i actually place my keys in a cupboard so i dont have them on my person if the police ever check and then i would have it noted if i was to be arrested where my keys where found for court etc. also i park with wheels on the chocs to level it up and you would be able to say i have no intention to drive as ive levelled for the night etc.

 

If you have the ignition keys in the vehicle then the charge will be intoxicated whilst in charge of a vehicle, not drink driving.

That's what I was lead to believe..

 

My mate parked his car in an open car park for a night out. Came back to the car after missing his lift, he moved the car so it wasnt under the flood light and switched off the engine and moved across to the passenger seat, into his sleeping bag. He then got a knock on the window and two coppers had watched him get in the car, move it and then park up. He was charged with being drunk in charge. It went to court and he was given 6 points and a large fine, even though he was in a private / paid car park

 

I always give the keys to my missus who hides them somewhere, and the only thing she can drive is me up the wall, so if i cant find my keys i cant drive. simples

Al
SB:db

 

There are some draw backs to not having the keys to hand.

• You might be camped up but not yet going to bed so bed not pulled out.
• T5.1 needs the keys in the ignition and you have to turn it on and then off again to have the radio on.
• You need the remote if you want to set the alarm.

There again things that should indicate to any sensible (I use the word cautiously) person that you are not going anywhere;

• The front seats inc. the driver swivelled to the back.
• The front screen covers on and the curtains drawn.
• The roof up and an awning.
• Mains hook up connected.
• Stuff stored under the van inc. the grey water can.

 

The old bill and CPS will prosecute you if they want to. They can make anything stick.

CPS are all process and procedure driven and need to get all categories of successful prosecution rates up.

They don't give a fig, especially if it's an easy nick and prosecution. No time for any of them!