When you learn how to drive, you learn just how serious DUI laws are. Not only can you lose your driving privilege if you are convicted of a DUI, you can also be fined and ordered to attend DUI classes and AA meetings. If you paid attention in your driving classes, you probably understand just how serious judges take DUI cases in states such as California. With more and more people being pulled over and arrested for DUI, judges are imposing larger fines and punishments to individuals who plead guilty to driving under the influence.
But what happens when you are caught driving under the influence behind the wheel of a bike or a go-cart. If you thought that DUI's only applied to cars, think again. There are a number of areas of the law that can be confusing and are often overlooked. Find out how you can land a DUI in a vehicle other than a car and make sure you are informed before you take your next drink.
Understanding the Law
When you are taking your driver's test at the DMV, it is common to assume that all of the rules apply to driving a car. In the state of California, some of the many laws of the road can be very difficult to understand unless you have a law degree. If you take the California DMV Driver's Handbook to a San Bernardino criminal attorney for instance, they can show you just how DUI laws are stated and how you have violated the law in the eyes of the prosecution. The problem with this strategy is that you often only contact a San Bernardino DUI lawyer after you have been pulled over or arrested. The key to keeping your driving record clean is to be responsible and know what the laws actually mean before you get behind the wheel of any type of vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
What Does the Law Say in California?
In the state of California, and most of the other US states, you can be arrested for DUI if you are suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in any motorized vehicle no matter how briefly. As you can see, a motorized vehicle can be anything with two or more wheels that has an engine. The reasons that motorized vehicles fall under the law is because they are considered dangerous if they are controlled by the wrong hands. Some of the many vehicles or pieces of machinery that you cannot operate when you have a Blood Alcohol Content of .08 or higher include:
Motorized "vehicles" are not the only things to consider. In most states, including California, a vehicle is defined as something that can be used as a reasonable mode of transportation. Because of this, individuals can even be cited for DUI if they are caught riding a horse or a bicycle under the influence. While you can argue that a horse or a bike is not a motor vehicle, it is better to be safe and avoid the situation in its entirety.
Punishments for individuals charged with a DUI on anything other than a car might be different than those that are imposed on DUI car drivers. As a rule of thumb, it is a good idea to stick to walking or taking a taxi when you have been drinking.
Article written by Georgina Clatworthy, who writes informative articles relating to legal topics such as DUI, personal injury and criminal law. Formerly the editor of a well respected legal blog, she is now a contributing writer for the legal experts at Milligan, Beswick, Levine and Knox, whose collective expertise has helped many with legal issues such as DUI and traffic violations within the state of California.
But what happens when you are caught driving under the influence behind the wheel of a bike or a go-cart. If you thought that DUI's only applied to cars, think again. There are a number of areas of the law that can be confusing and are often overlooked. Find out how you can land a DUI in a vehicle other than a car and make sure you are informed before you take your next drink.
Understanding the Law
When you are taking your driver's test at the DMV, it is common to assume that all of the rules apply to driving a car. In the state of California, some of the many laws of the road can be very difficult to understand unless you have a law degree. If you take the California DMV Driver's Handbook to a San Bernardino criminal attorney for instance, they can show you just how DUI laws are stated and how you have violated the law in the eyes of the prosecution. The problem with this strategy is that you often only contact a San Bernardino DUI lawyer after you have been pulled over or arrested. The key to keeping your driving record clean is to be responsible and know what the laws actually mean before you get behind the wheel of any type of vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
What Does the Law Say in California?
In the state of California, and most of the other US states, you can be arrested for DUI if you are suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in any motorized vehicle no matter how briefly. As you can see, a motorized vehicle can be anything with two or more wheels that has an engine. The reasons that motorized vehicles fall under the law is because they are considered dangerous if they are controlled by the wrong hands. Some of the many vehicles or pieces of machinery that you cannot operate when you have a Blood Alcohol Content of .08 or higher include:
- Motorized go-carts
- Motorized wheelchairs
- Golf carts
- Motorized scooters
- Ride-on lawnmowers
Motorized "vehicles" are not the only things to consider. In most states, including California, a vehicle is defined as something that can be used as a reasonable mode of transportation. Because of this, individuals can even be cited for DUI if they are caught riding a horse or a bicycle under the influence. While you can argue that a horse or a bike is not a motor vehicle, it is better to be safe and avoid the situation in its entirety.
Punishments for individuals charged with a DUI on anything other than a car might be different than those that are imposed on DUI car drivers. As a rule of thumb, it is a good idea to stick to walking or taking a taxi when you have been drinking.
Article written by Georgina Clatworthy, who writes informative articles relating to legal topics such as DUI, personal injury and criminal law. Formerly the editor of a well respected legal blog, she is now a contributing writer for the legal experts at Milligan, Beswick, Levine and Knox, whose collective expertise has helped many with legal issues such as DUI and traffic violations within the state of California.
No comments:
Post a Comment