Drivers have been warned about a little known rule which could land them with a £2,500 fine.
The rule, which is part of the road traffic act and Highway Code, states that if you are drunk in your car you could be prosecuted, regardless of what you are doing.
If you're caught sleeping while drunk in your car, you may still be penalised for being "in control" of a vehicle whilst over the legal alcohol limit.
The rule also applies if you’re sleeping in your motorhome too.
The sleeping rule in particular comes under the Road Traffic Act 1988.
The law says that a motorist can be found guilty of the offence if they 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".
The rules are in place to prevent someone from inadvertently driving whilst under the influence when they wake up thinking they are sober.
The law has to foresee that possibility.
Alongside the £2,500 fine, you could face being given points on your licence or even a prison stay.
Drink-driving rules carry some of the most severe penalties for UK roads.
Driving while drunk carries punishments including six months in prison, unlimited fines and a driving ban of at least a year.
Anyone convicted twice in ten years can face a three year driving ban.
On average, two pints of regular strength lager can take you over the drink-drive limit.
Two small glasses of wine will also put a driver over the limit.
So you best think again if you think you can get away with sleeping off your drinks.
Depending on the amount of alcohol consumed, you may need to consider finding somewhere else to stay for the night until sober enough to drive or getting a lift home instead.
You should also note that it is "perfectly legal" to sleep in your car when you aren't drunk or under the influence of drugs as long as you stick to a couple of rules.
According to Compare the Market, you must make sure you are parked legally, in a safe place, and that you’re not breaking any parking restrictions.
It’s just as dangerous to drive tired as it is to drive whilst drunk and sometimes it’s necessary to sleep in your car.
