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Drunk in Charge

“Drunk in charge of a motor vehicle” refers to a situation where a person is found in control of a motor vehicle while being under the influence of alcohol (or sometimes drugs) but is not driving the vehicle at that time.

Common example of when this occurs are:-

 

Sat in the driver’s seat.

In this context the person is sitting in the driver’s seat while intoxicated. It is still an offence even if the vehicle engine is off.

 

Having the keys.

Possessing the keys to a vehicle and being intoxicated is an offence. Being next to or around the vehicle is the usual scenario but the offence can be committed even if you are in a building or some distance from the vehicle.

 

This offence is often treated very seriously because people are sentence on the basis that there was a risk of impaired driving, even if the person was not driving the vehicle at the time of their arrest.

The sentence for this offence can be serious but often is a fine and a disqualification but it is worth noting that it can carry ten points in certain circumstances.