Arizona is typically recognized as having strict DUI laws and, like California and other states, its law goes beyond driving a car intoxicated. Driving while under the influence is unlawful. Arizona’s statutes are quite detailed about this topic. Title 28 §28-1381 starts out with, “It is unlawful for a person to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle in this state under any of the following circumstances: 1. While under the influence of intoxicating liquor, any drug, a vapor releasing substance containing a toxic substance or any combination of liquor, drugs or vapor releasing substances if the person is impaired to the slightest degree. 2. If the person has an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours of driving or being in actual physical control of the vehicle and the alcohol concentration results from alcohol consumed either before or while driving or being in actual physical control of the vehicle.”
Under this statute, Tempe Police arrested their first scooter DUI.
Formal charges were filed by the Tempe City Prosecutor’s Office on January 2, against 28-year-old Shelton Begay for an October 2018 incident. Begay was riding a Bird scooter when he suddenly crashed into the back of a woman’s car. Begay fled the scene, but the woman promptly pulled over and called 911. Officers found Begay not too far from the crash. After conducting field sobriety tests, they determined that he was intoxicated. Several items of alcohol were also found in his possession. A blood test was then conducted at a nearby hospital while they treated him for minor injuries. According to police reports, the test determined that Begay had a BAC of 0.285, more than 3 times the limit.
While DUIs are well-known occurrences, people may not realize that you can get a DUI while driving motorized scooters. If you have drunk alcohol and don’t have your faculties under control, hopping on a Bird wouldn’t be a good idea. And, you could likely get hit with a DUI.
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