Bicycling Under the Influence (BUI) can result in fines, jail time, and even license revocation. Drinking while cycling can be dangerous, leading to reckless behavior and accidents. BUI laws vary by region, and repeat offenses can lead to close scrutiny by law enforcement. BUI is also used to describe Boating Under the Influence, which can result in serious consequences including license revocation and significant fines.
A BUI is a citation for Bicycling Under the Influence. While the penalties for a BUI aren’t as severe as those for a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction, the possibility of a fine exists, and someone with repeated BUI can serve jail time or be asked to take a required class. BUI laws vary by region, with some areas having specific laws prohibiting drink-bicycling, while others wrap BUIs in other laws, such as disorderly conduct laws.
While the idea of riding a bike while under the influence seems more benign than driving while under the influence, it can still be very dangerous. The primary danger is to the cyclist, as drinking shortens response time, and this can mean that a cyclist cannot escape danger quickly enough, resulting in serious injury or death. Choosing to ride a bike under the influence can also lead to reckless behaviors such as running stop signs, ignoring traffic lights, or misjudging the safety of various activities such as turning into traffic or stopping a vehicle.
Just as with a DUI, a BUI is issued when a police officer stops a cyclist and determines that he has been drinking. The legal limit for a BUI is usually the same as that for a licensed driver. In an area where there is a specific BUI law, the police officer will issue a BUI citation. In the event that such a law does not exist, the police officer can charge the cyclist with disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, or a similar law.
In some cases, a BUI can result in a driver’s license being revoked, assuming that the cyclist may be prone to drunk driving if they are willing to ride while intoxicated. In other cases, the cyclist may be fined, sentenced to community service, or forced to spend time in jail due to a BUI conviction. Since cycling doesn’t require a license, a BUI doesn’t mean the offender’s cycling days are over, but repeat offenses can lead to close scrutiny by local law enforcement.
The term “BUI” is also used to describe Boating Under the Influence. In this case, a BUI conviction can have serious consequences, because boats are treated as vehicles, as they have engines. A BUI conviction can result in a boating license being revoked, along with a boater’s driver’s license, and the boater could be required to pay a significant fine and attend a series of BUI classes. Multiple offenses can result in jail time.
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