Many people still don't know about a Highway Code rule that could land you with a £2,500 fine. What's more, many are unaware that sleeping in your car when drunk is actually illegal, with other punishments including 10 points on your licence and even time in prison.
My London reports that the rule, which is part of the Road Traffic Act, states that if you are drunk in your car you could be prosecuted, regardless of what you're doing. Even if you are asleep in your car, you could still be penalised for being 'in control' of a vehicle when above the limit.
According to Compare the Market, it is perfectly legal to sleep in your car when you aren't drunk or under the influence of drugs, as long as you are safely parked and not in violation of any parking restrictions. The Road Traffic Act 1988 says that a motorist can be found guilty of the offence if the are 'in charge of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in his breath, blood or urine exceeds the prescribed limit'.
