Electric scooters (e-scooters) are trendy in Maryland, but riders must still adhere to the responsibilities of traveling on the motor-powered platform. Persons riding on an e-scooter must follow all traffic and safety laws, including riding while intoxicated. Those who ride while intoxicated can face Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charges.
DUIs and E-scooters
The law regarding intoxicated e-scooter operations should not be surprising since riding a manual bicycle under the influence is also grounds for a DUI charge. Persons arrested on e-scooter DUI charges could face jail time and fines, indicating how seriously Maryland takes operating bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters while impaired.
There’s another statute to be aware of concerning arrests for being under the influence. To be charged with a DUI, the suspect must have a blood alcohol concentration of at least 0.08%. That does not mean the person would not face charges for having a lesser amount. DWI charges may result when a BAC is 0.07 or less.
Legal worries about DUIs
A conviction could have lifelong consequences if someone faces DUI charges while operating a scooter or a motor vehicle. A criminal record derived from a conviction could haunt someone when they apply for a job, some loans, licensing or otherwise submit to a background check. Jail time could have dire, immediate effects on a person’s life, like job loss, family problems and higher insurance premiums. More than one DUI on your record can result in a suspended driver’s license for a year or more.
A DUI arrest does not necessarily mean a conviction, as there are ways to challenge the charges. If the police officer did not have probable cause to stop you or failed to calibrate the breathalyzer correctly, any procured evidence could be inadmissible. Additionally, those facing conviction could request leniency in sentencing.