There have been DUI arrests made against people who have driven a lawnmower while under the influence. Riding a horse while intoxicated can also result in a DUI. So can operating an electric wheelchair or powered sit-down style scooter while intoxicated. In fact, California treats pretty much anything with a motor or under the control of a person as susceptible to DUI charges if the person operating the vehicle (or animal) is intoxicated. Now, you can throw those new motorized scooters into the mix. The Drive reports on a Santa Monica man charged with DUI on an e-scooter.
Trying to get home past that DUI checkpoint on your e-scooter? Best not be drunk!
A 25-year-old man was stopped at a DUI checkpoint in Santa Monica, California last weekend as he tried to scoot past officers on the sidewalk.
Aside from the fact that e-scooters are supposed to be used on the streets, it seems that the man was also intoxicated. Driving on the sidewalk rather than the roadway may have been what motivated LAPD to conduct the stop in the first place.
Police report that the suspect smelled of alcohol and failed a field sobriety test. He refused a breathalyzer and was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
The Santa Monica e-scooter share company called Bird rents out e-scooters for a fee. However, their user agreement that people agree to abide by upon rental states that they will not operate the e-scooter while under the influence.
