By Jeff Kennedy
Scooters are all the rage these days in Texas. All the cool kids are doing it. Although there are many benefits to riding scooters around town, there are always some things that you should consider before hopping on and scooting off. For one, you should learn the laws or restrictions pertaining to scooter usage.
For instance, there are rules about where to park your scooter, and there are traffic laws you should follow. You should also know that you can get a DWI on an electric scooter. Did you know you can get a DWI on an electric bicycle, as well?
DWI on a Scooter: What to Know
The law in Texas recognizes motorized vehicles as any device that can draw or transport people on a highway except for a device that exclusively uses a stationary track or rails. Pretty vague, right? You can also get a DWI while riding a golf cart, an ATV, a boat, or even a Vespa.
Many people who are charged with a DWI while riding a scooter are shocked and appalled. They think, “Hey, I was trying to be safe and not drink and drive!” Regretfully, you aren’t allowed to drink and scoot because you could hurt someone or get seriously hurt operating an e-scooter under the influence of alcohol.
What Are the Penalties for DWI?
If you’re convicted of a DWI in Texas, you could face some serious legal penalties. Even first-time offenses have penalties that include jail, fines, community service, probation, loss of drivers license, and more. The penalties only increase in severity with each DWI. For instance, you could go to prison, lose your license for longer periods of time, and receive heftier fines.
Some drunk driving crimes have more serious penalties attached to them due to the circumstances. For instance, if you hurt someone while operating a motorized scooter under the influence, you could face a more serious charge.
In addition to the legal penalties of a DWI, you could also face non-legal consequences that could seriously affect your life. You could deal with job loss, embarrassment, financial struggles, difficulty securing a job in future, relationship issues, and more.
It’s safe to say that you don’t want to get a DWI on a scooter or in an electric Radio Flyer wagon for that matter. A DWI can affect your life in a big way, but you do have the option to hire a lawyer and battle against your drunk driving charge.
Scoot on Over to a Texas DWI Lawyer’s Office
If you’ve been charged with a DWI while operating a scooter, you may be considering fighting your charge. There are many defenses available against DWI charges, and you’ll want to talk to a Texas DWI lawyer about your case. You want to at least learn about your options before pleading guilty to a DWI offense.
Reach out to The Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy by filling out the online form below. You can also call our firm directly at 817-605-1010.
