Date:         Sat, 7 Jun 2003 08:31:54 -0700
Reply-To:     Bill N <freeholder@STARBAND.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bill N <freeholder@STARBAND.NET>
Subject:      Re: Alcohol + the vanagon
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

People have been making a lot of assumptions in their answers to this question.  Be VERY
careful here, and realize that the law varies from state to state.

Here in Arizona, it is illegal to drive or BE IN CONTROL of a motor vehicle while under the
influence.  If you are in the vehicle and have the keys available, you are in control, even if
you are not driving it (even if the keys are not in the ignition).  If you have a blood alcohol
level of .08, you are in big trouble. It's .04 if you have a commercial driver's license.

Motorhome owners can drink while parked, if they are set up for camping.  Just pulling off the
road and stopping doesn't do it, you must be in a "campsite" and will have to show that you
have set up your camp and are planning to stay the night.  Motorhome owners can also keep a
half-consumed bottle of wine in the fridge, or a half-full bottle of Bushmill's Single Malt in
the pantry.  Either would be illegal in another type vehicle.

Is your Westy a motorhome?  Maybe.  Re-read the past few day's messages about trying to insure
your Westy as a motorhome.  Most list members have unable to get their insurance company to
agree.  Do you want to bet your freedom on whether you can convince a judge or jury that your
Westy is a motorhome?  That's right, your freedom.  Arizona has mandatory sentencing for DUI,
so if you are convicted, you are going to prison.  It's a felony.  No more voting, no more gun
ownership, no more employment at a lot of companies, schools, and other places.

On another issue that has been mentioned here, please wear your seatbealts.  Here in Willcox,
Arizona there have been two single vehicle accidents in the last two weeks.  Both were simple
rollovers, which is a very survivable accident if you are not ejected.  In the first accident,
both of the young ladies were ejected.  One was killed and one was paralyzed from the waist
down.  In the second accident, the young man was ejected and killed.  None of these kids was
wearing a seatbelt.  All three were under 20 and recent graduates of Willcox High.  All three
were my students (I teach at the college here).  Please wear your seatbelt.

Bill in the Southwest

----- Original Message -----
>
>  Here's a Friday topic for everyone....... Is it okay to drink alcohol
>  inside the bus when you're parked?