I read one of those FB posts from a policeman. This one advised bed made up, seats spun, you in PJs, but also suggested putting the keys in the safe would be belt and braces RE no intention to drive. Up to you to persuade the policeman I guess. If you answer the door.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Somewhere in this these forum archives is a transcript of a conversation between myself and a Lawyer at Geoffrey Millers, one of the UK's leading motoring lawyers.
If you have the keys, are in the vehicle to which the keys fit, and over the limit then yes, you are technically "drunk in charge" and as it is a statutory offence the onus is upon the defendant to prove he/her self innocent in court if charged.
The spirit and intent is to prevent those who have been or want to be driving from being apprehended with the excuse "I was parked up and sleeping it off". Clearly not the case if in a vehicle designed to be slept in and modified/adjusted from the driving position for that purpose ... i.e. Keys no where near the ignition, seats swivelled, bed made up etc. If permission to park overnight has also been given, e.g.: A Britstop pub car park, then clearly there is no intent to drive. If in the unlikely circumstances that police would proceed with a charge then the CPS will probably intervene and if not even that then a laudable defence can be made in court.
From my own pov, and this is "female travelling alone" perspective: If wild camping then I always make sure I can escape: park in such a way as to mitigate against getting boxed in, internal, not external, blinds and due caution exercised that I am not intruding any bye-laws or parked anywhere that may give cause to others to ask me to move on. I also have attack alarms positioned in strategic places around the van so whilst trying to make my escape the racket would be awesome. I am also careful with alcohol as I want to be able to drive in an emergency. My alcohol intake usually depends on where I park and my comfort levels that I will not need to move until well into the morning.
I adopt what I hope is a common sense approach. Never drink enough so that I will still be over the limit the following morning, try not to upset people or authorities, do not leave myself vulnerable and leave no sign that I was ever there when I leave. I have yet to have a problem but am not complacent enough to assume that will be the status quo forever.
a PS: I have had what I think was a potential threat. This was at a Britstop, a pub car park open to a major road. I was woken up at around 2am by a van stopping close to mine and clattering coming from it followed by voices and people walking towards me. Once I had put the interior lights on, made a noise, made sure it was obvious someone was sleeping in the van and then got keys in the ignition and lights on the van/car drove away.
Ever since then if planning an overnight stop, I google streetview, to ensure my stopover is not in sight of a main road and in sight of those who may see an opportunity for a quick bit of van theft.