Can You Get A DUI On A Skateboard? Risks and Legal Issues

No, you cannot get a DUI on a skateboard. However, it is important to remember that drinking and skating can be dangerous and put you in harm’s way. It is important to wear protective gear and follow local laws when skating.

Drink And Skate

It’s essential to know the risks associated with drinking and skating. Riding after consuming alcohol can be dangerous: it will impair your reaction time, making it more difficult to avoid pedestrians and sharp turns, leading to potentially serious injuries for both you and any unlucky person who gets in your way.

In some states, if you’re caught skateboarding after consuming alcohol, you may have to take a breathalyzer test to measure your blood-alcohol level.

The legal limit is usually set at 0.09% or higher. Even direr are charges of DUI which can apply to drunk skateboarding – an example is a man in Oregon who hit a moving vehicle on his board but still got charged with DUI.

Alcohol can affect different individuals based on their body weight and physical condition; someone who weighs 150 pounds could reach the 0.9% blood alcohol concentration after just two or three drinks.

These facts mean that no matter what your style or level of skill is when skateboarding, it’s important to always be mindful when consuming any amount of alcohol before taking on your board!

What Do Lawyers Say About Getting A DUI On A Skateboard?

Lawyers generally agree that it is not possible to get a DUI on a skateboard. This is because skateboards are not considered vehicles under the Vehicle Code, and thus do not fall under the same legal regulations as other motorized vehicles.

However, if your skateboard has a motor or is powered by electricity, then it may be subject to DUI laws in some states.

1. Patrick O. Earl, DUI/DWI Attorney in Moses Lake:

You have to be driving a motor vehicle and the statute explains what that means. A skateboard or bike isn’t a motor vehicle.”

2. Scott W. Lawrence, DUI/DWI Attorney in Seattle:

You can only get a DUI if you are operating a motor vehicle. However, it is almost certainly a violation of your probation to consume alcohol.”

3. Lucas McWethy, Criminal Defense Attorney in Lynnwood:

DUI is specific to a motor vehicle (like BUI is specific to a watercraft). However, there are other things that the Officer may arrest you for such as public intoxication, and disorderly conduct or if you are on a public roadway, they may arrest you for DUI and let the prosecutor decide what the proper charge is. These would all likely violate probation for a prior DUI as would consuming alcohol (depending on the specific judge’s parameters).”

Can You Get A DUI on a Skateboard After Drinking?

Skateboarding after having a few drinks can be risky. While your reaction time may be slower, it can still potentially be similar to being impaired when operating a motorized vehicle.

As an example, a person in Oregon was arrested for drunk driving after crashing into a moving van while skateboarding.

This is why you should never risk skateboarding after drinking; if the police see you erratically skating, they’ll likely administer a breathalyzer test to determine your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). In most states, if your BAC is over 0.08%, then you’re legally impaired and could face charges of DUI on your skateboard.

Be mindful of how much you drink before skating; one alcoholic drink can increase a person’s BAC by about 0.02% for someone weighing approximately 140 lbs. That means two or three alcoholic drinks can push it over the legal limit of 0.08%. Ultimately, it’s better to stay safe than sorry – don’t risk getting a DUI on your skateboard by drinking!

California Skateboard Laws

In California, skateboarding is popular as a recreational activity and means of transportation. That’s why legislation has been made to ensure safety and prevent property damage.

The state of California does not allow skateboarding on public property such as sidewalks or roads. This is for the protection of people in the area, as well as to avoid causing damage to structures like stores and libraries. Unfortunately, this has upset many passionate skateboarders who sometimes take part in protests against these rules.

As of January 1, 2020, the law requires that skateboarders wear a helmet while sidewalk or road skating for their protection. It also states that skateboards must have tail lights and reflectors so drivers can identify them in the dark.

It’s important to follow all these regulations when it comes to skateboarding in California. Not only will this keep skaters safe but it can also save you from hefty fines if caught without necessary equipment!

Reasons To Avoid Drinking And Skating

Can you get a DUI on a skateboard? The answer is no, but the bigger question you should ask yourself is whether it should be done at all. There are many reasons to avoid drinking and skating, and here are just some of them.

First, alcohol impairs your judgment and coordination, making your skating more dangerous and even putting you in harm’s way.

Second, it causes dehydration which can cramp up your muscles as you skate. You could even suffer an electrolyte imbalance as a result of drinking alcohol which can lead to serious health risks of its own.

Thirdly, having had a few drinks before skating will make it more difficult for you to balance on the ice when it comes to icy surfaces.

Finally, alcohol consumption also affects the next day’s skating performance since your body needs adequate recovery time from alcohol effects in order to perform its best possible at the rink or park.

What Happens If You Are Still Detained?

If you are caught skateboarding while under the influence, you may be detained. Depending on where you live and the severity of your case, this may mean a night in jail or facing fines up to $250.

In some states, electric or motorized skateboards are treated the same as if you were driving an automobile which could result in misdemeanor charges that include jail time of 30 days for a first conviction and up to 120 days for a second (or more) charge.

Again, laws regarding DUI/DWI vary from state to state and each individual case should be taken into account so it is important to know what laws are in effect in your particular state before setting off with your skateboard!

Skateboard Laws and Regulations

Skateboarding safety is taken seriously in most state and local communities. That’s why laws and ordinances have been put in place to ensure that skateboarders are adequately protected.

One of the main rules is the requirement to wear helmets at all times, as well as knee pads and other protective gear. This is especially important for someone who has had a few drinks, as they may not think about being safe while riding their board.

In addition to wearing protective gear, skating in designated areas is essential for staying out of trouble with local authorities. Skaters must be aware of any city or community ordinances that indicate where skateboards are allowed, and conversely, where they are not permitted.

Failure to follow these rules can result in penalties such as citations or even arrests, especially if the rider has been drinking or exhibiting signs of disorderly conduct.

Is A Skateboard Viewed As A Road Vehicle?

A skateboard is not viewed as a road vehicle as per the Vehicle Code. This code defines a vehicle as any device that can move, be propelled, and be drawn on a highway – and skateboards don’t fit into this definition. Furthermore, those devices moved only by human power or exclusively on rails or tracks are also excluded from the definition of ‘vehicle’.

That said, you can’t get a DUI for riding your skateboard while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. However, that doesn’t mean that there won’t be consequences if you do so – so it’s best to stay sober when riding! In addition, if your skateboard has a motor or is powered by electricity, then it falls under the same legal regulations as other vehicles and you can technically face DUI charges for operating it while drunk.

FAQs

Conclusion:

It is possible to get a DUI while riding a skateboard, though it’s uncommon. However, alcoholic intoxication on a skateboard is still illegal in many parts of the world. Even though you may not face jail time for skateboarding under the influence, police officers can still arrest you for driving recklessly or creating a public nuisance with your ride.

It’s important to follow the law and be aware of local regulations whenever operating any type of vehicle—even if that vehicle is simply two feet and four wheels.