Drink Drive considerations for motorhoming and wildcamping

[sololite]

I bet this has been covered before but I am a newbie and a bit inept with the search facility.

Where do we stand legally if we are wildcamping and decide to have a few drinks before sleeping overnight. I have read about people being prosecuted after being found asleep in their cars and over the limit.

Does this apply to motorhoming? and is it any more/less strict in France/Spain where we plan to head to in a few weeks?

thanks for all your advice.

 

[rickboy]

Police in France

Depending on where you go (rural or city) In France you will not see many or any police except 4-5pm for roadside checks.
In Spain they are now hot on anything they can give you a roadside fine for to aid their funding.

 

[helmit]

Police in france

I believe you would be ok here in the U K as long as you had no intension of driving -ie Keys not in ignition. As for France last year i got breathalized at French side of Mont Blanc at 11.00pm so I would be very carefull over there. Regards Helmit

 

[rickboy]

Mont Blanc Tunnel prices

They must have thought you were drunk to be even thinking of taking a m/h through the tunnel at their prices.
Hope you did not get nicked.

 

[ellieloy]

I and other MH owners got asked to move when attending a dog show in Scotland (we had been a bit naughty, not booking onto the campsite that was less conveniently situated than the car park) and we just pleaded ignorant - "we were tired and had had a drink with our meal and were just turning into bed" - seemed to work - we all got to stay with no further question, and they even bid us a good night and good luck for the show!

 

[Deleted member 775]

in all the years we had our van ,we were never bothered once .we had a drink but dident over do it .only thing you have to think about is if you should have to move in an emergency if you are wilding somewhare and there is any trouble .and also next morning will you still be over the limit .as for the police they wont move you on if you have had a drink they cannot, they will leave you alone in my experience,

 

[Campervanman]

Common sense applies I think...

We don't drink much while we are out in the van as these days I tend to feel ill if I've had too much to drink any way. The problem with drinking is that you are still in a motor vehicle and probably the law would see you as still in charge of such. Handy if both occupants are drivers as the police would have to show who the main driver is. The main worry is as has been said, if you should need to move in an emergency or asked to move by someone. I think I would feel very un-comfy being over the limit in the van.