You may have encountered the social media hashtag “vanlife.” It might have inspired you to pack some belongings into your vehicle and park up in a spot with a beautiful view for the night. You might even take your laptop so you can continue to work and therefore extend your time away.
The photos you’ll see show people enjoying all sorts of activities in their vehicles, from brewing coffee to staring at the stars and cuddling their cats. One thing you might also see them doing is drinking alcohol.
Alcohol and vehicles usually don’t mix in the eyes of the law
You may be aware that you could get arrested just for having an open container of alcohol next to you while you are driving. But what about when you are parked? Can you, too, clink glasses of wine with your partner while sitting inside your stationary vehicle? After all, it’s not always warm or dry enough to sit outside. Or could doing so risk a DUI?
If you are parked on the side of the road, it could potentially be a problem. The general rule is that you cannot have an open container in the passenger compartment, whether you are driving or not. The law does make an exception for alcohol in the living quarters of campers and RVs. But not all vehicles that people camp in have such distinct sections.
Another thing to consider is that the police sometimes arrest people for “sleeping off” alcohol in their vehicles. Whether the DUI charge sticks often comes down to minor details such as which seat they were sleeping in and where the keys were.
It’s safe to say there is a potential for misunderstandings and problems if the police come by and you are camping in your vehicle, consuming, or having consumed alcohol while parked on the roadside. If you feel you have been unfairly arrested and charged with DUI, it is important to learn more about your rights and your options for contesting the charge.
