Art Car DUI ?

[Charlie_in_OC]

First time Burner... and bringing a Art Car.

Design of the Art Car will put the " driver " in full view of anyone. Will anyone driving be at risk of being pulled over by LEO if spotted having a beer?

And please, before flaming away, I am not talking about falling down drunk and behind the wheel drunk

[AntiM]

Short answer, yes. Long answer, hell yes, we've seen it happen for a simple open container in the driver area.

[ibdave]

First time Burner... and bringing a Art Car.

Design of the Art Car will put the " driver " in full view of anyone. Will anyone driving be at risk of being pulled over by LEO if spotted having a beer?

And please, before flaming away, I am not talking about falling down drunk and behind the wheel drunk

Yes, the same rules apply just as tho your driving in the default world.
I support the zero tolerance for the drivers of art cars..

[Teo del Fuego]

before flaming away

Oh, you're really gonna get it now!

Seriously, I know what you mean. In our puritanical and lawyer-riddled society having a sip of the evil-brew whilst behind the wheel of anything is seen as an act of wanton degradation and irresponsibility. Im not one of those.

But I think its not a good idea. One, if this is during the day when your most likely to be spotted by a LEO, you should be drinking H2O, preferably one with some electrolytic additives. (I know, you could always put yer beer in a water bottle or pop can.) At night, there just too much risk from unlit objects and pedestrians to take the chance. Particularly if you are taking on passengers. Even if alcohol had no part in a nasty injury or fatality producing accident, the fact that the driver was drinking will be nails in your cross.

My two cents. I hope ya don't get scorched by the crusty 2%'ers, but you can handle it. e-Playa is not representative of the folks at BM in general. (mostly bored know it alls like me!)

[dragonfly Jafe]

I was pulled over in 2005 because my passengers had open containers. They gave me a quick field sobriety test, then made everyone pour their drinks onto the Playa (despite our pointing out the event rules). They then took down my name and vehicle number, and warned me that if I was caught again with passengers with open containers, that I would be cited.

There MAY be a slight distinction under Nevada law, where-in a "vehicle for hire, or limo, or RV" can have open containers under certain circumstances. The distinction seems to be if the driver is seperate from the partiers. My vehicle is a giant tongue, with the driver at the rear sitting behind the passengers.

but in any event, if the driver is under the influence of any controlled substance or alcohol, they can be cited for DUI. If the driver is caught with a drink....good bye! I've seen it happen.

[Dork]

Oh yeah. Whether the driver is in full view or not shouldn't affect your decision - LEO's aren't always in uniform, and they do ride art cars. If you must drink, find someone else to drive or just park it.

[trilobyte]

First off, let's hope your art car has been registered. Otherwise, the deadline has long passed and the point is moot.

Second off, your driver having an open container in full view is just plain a bad idea. If LEO's don't stop you, Rangers would (and should). How many breathalyzer tests do you and your crew want to have to take? Even if you pass with flying colors, you've just gone through lots of hassle. After a few times, I'm sure word will have gotten around, and you'd be the car under constant suspicion all week. Doesn't sound like much fun for anyone.

~Trilo~

[Badger]

Short answer, yes. Long answer, hell yes, we've seen it happen for a simple open container in the driver area.

Anti-M's advice bears repeating.

Seriously.

Being on the playa does not make ANYONE immune from Federal, state or county laws.

If you're going to drive you best not be drinking. Period. Aside from the obvious citation you open yourself up to - not to mention potential litigation should someone be injured - you also set yourself up to be searched if you're pulled. Often times that is NOT a good thing to have happen.

[Charlie_in_OC]

Thanks All!

" Water whilst Driving " it shall be.

And Thanks for pointing out the issue of passengers with open containers.

[mdmf007]

you can get a DUI on a bicycle, on a tricycle, and on a riding lawnmower.
Tractor, Airplane, Scooter, Motorcycle, Boat and hot air ballloon. So an art car is a most definate yes.

If your the driver - your liable.

later

[gyre]

You would need to verify this, but I think the dmv will pull your permit permanently for drinking while driving.
The amount of alcohol is not at issue.

[capjbadger]

Short answer, yes. Long answer, hell yes, we've seen it happen for a simple open container in the driver area.

My "ship" has the driver on the top deck, but there is a hatch that leads to a below deck area. I assume since it is completely separate from the driving area that I can let my passengers drink as long as they keep it below decks?

Badger

[Isotopia]

You would need to verify this, but I think the dmv will pull your permit permanently for drinking while driving.
The amount of alcohol is not at issue.

Yep. The actual pulling of the permit is done by the Rangers. One warning is about all you'll get. Someone practicing complete vehicle jackassery won't even be given a single warning. The permit will be pulled and the vehicle will be parked for the remainder of the event *or* sent out of the Gate.

BTW, the warning is APPLIED TO THE VEHICLE and NOT THE DRIVER.

That's to say if a driver of a camp's vehicle is stopped and given a warning by a Black Rock Ranger a new driver doesn't re-set the clock. Oh, and records of all warning for all vehicles are filed by the Black Rock Rangers.