Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > Drunk in charge?

[twpd]

That would be an interesting conundrum if one were to sleep in a motorhome/camper van.

[AJS]

I have had that conversation with an officer because I used to use a camper van at race meetings etc.
I think the Statutory Defence would come in to play in that situation.

[749er]

Originally Posted by AJS

I have had that conversation with an officer because I used to use a camper van at race meetings etc.
I think the Statutory Defence would come in to play in that situation.

I have no idea what tha statutory defence is but the answer is you will get done for it, without question.

A mate of mine is a mechanic. He was on a night out when a mate of his with a 911 asked him to help get his car started as he had broken down. So there is Dave working away between engine and drivers seat trying to get it started. Some passers by thought he was trying to steal it and they called the police. They turn up, and nick him. He was way over the limit and the courts have no option but to issue a ban. There is no way of pleading your way out of it. The fact that the car would not start and could not be driven was immaterial,pretty much. the only effect that had was that he got 12months ban when really he should have had a lot more given the amount of alcohol that was in his blood. So there he was a self employed mechanic who could not test drive cars.

He got his license back after 9 months as he did one of the alcohol awareness courses.

His mate gave him a very nice 1967 beetle to say sorry.

No idea how it works with campers but cant see it being any different. I believe the "key" thing is to make sure the keys are no where near your possesion when near the vehicle

[Rushjob]

As mentioned above, this scenario is not a good one to decide to test at Court - chances are you will lose.

Even if you get away without being checked, there is a high likelihood the driver may still be over the limit the next morning.....

[bigtwin]

There was a case recently in Scotland where the Scottish equivalent of a magistrate (cant remember what they're called!) was well over the limit and decided to sleep in her car. She left the keys in the footwell of the front passenger seat so as not to be 'in charge'. It worked for her! I think I saw this on DUN but couldn't find it when I just looked now!

[YMFB]

Surely it matters where you are parked, if your camper van is on the roadside your kippered, if your on a field your OK.

[Glyn]

i was told by a judge that if the keys are not accessible to you then you are o.k e.g you can not get them back if you tried e.g a friend takes them home with them. this example was based on the vehicle being in a pub carpark