Lesser-known Highway Code rule that could see you fined £2,500 for sleeping in your car

Motorists are being alerted to a lesser-known rule that could result in severe penalties. The repercussions could include a fine of up to £2,500, 10 penalty points on your licence, or even a prison sentence.

The regulation means you could face consequences for sleeping in your car while over the drink-drive limit.

This rule, which is part of the Road Traffic Act and Highway Code, stipulates that you could face prosecution if you are intoxicated in your car, regardless of your actions.

Even if you're asleep in the vehicle, you could still be penalised for being "in control" of a vehicle while over the limit, My London reports.

Being too drunk and sleeping in your car falls under the Road Traffic Act 1988. It states that a driver can be convicted 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".

This rule exists because there's no guarantee that a person won't attempt to drive when they wake up still under the influence - the law must anticipate this possibility.

A drunk driver will be confused and not thinking clearly, making it difficult to argue that they would never drive in their current state.

Depending on the amount of alcohol you've consumed, you might need to consider staying at a hotel until you sober up. Other options include getting a lift home from a friend or family member or arranging for a taxi.

Under the umbrella of drink-driving laws, a new campaign has been launched to curb the damage caused by drunk driving on our roads. The initiative, created by THINK! road safety, specifically targets the primary group of drink-drivers: young men.

Liz Brooker MBE, chair of Road Safety Great Britain, expressed her support for the campaign, stating: "Road Safety Great Britain fully supports the THINK! Pint Block campaign.

"Someone who gets in their car after drinking is a risk to themselves, and all others on the road, including their friends."

She added: "This campaign highlights the role everyone has to play in reducing the number of people who drive, using the power of friendship to encourage safer driving and the need to protect those we care about."