Even though most Driving Under the Influence (DUI) laws involve motor vehicles and sometimes motorcycles, there are a large number of DUI cases involving vehicles that may be quite unlike the standard car, such as a boat, where one can be charged with Boating Under the Influence. Many times courts are faced with cases that don’t even involve a motorized vehicle, such as drunk biking.
While bicycles may not pose the same threat as motor vehicles, drunk biking can have serious consequences such as causing property damage, harm to yourself, and harm to others. Riding your bicycle after you have been drinking should never be taken lightly. Keep in mind that each state treats drunk biking differently and you should be sure to check the laws in your state for the most up-to-date information. Here’s an overview of how DUI laws treat bicycles.
States and courts are split on the subject of drunk biking. Some people automatically doubt the amount of harm a bicyclist can cause to others, considering the nature of a bicycle. However, some states and their laws acknowledge that, even assuming a bicyclist likely only harms themselves by drunk biking, an injury to a drunken rider can have a profound effect on others, especially their family members.In general, where a state law on drunk driving specifically prohibits the operation of a “motor vehicle,” the chances are very high that the law will be interpreted by courts as not applying to bicycles or similar man-powered vehicles.
On the other hand, where statutes apply more generally to all “vehicles,” courts sometimes find that bicycles fall into this category. In any case involving an allegation of drunk bicycling, the first place to look to is to a DUI attorney who focuses their practice on drunk driving allegations. Some states exclude bicycles entirely from their definition of “vehicles.” Other states limit the application of their DUI or DWI laws to “motor vehicles.” But some states treat bicycles as just another vehicle on the road, regardless of the language used within their DUI laws. In these states, drunk bike riders face the same potential legal landmines as any other drunk driver.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of a criminal charge, immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A is not going to judge you, and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties, and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer
