Pillion alcohol legalitys

[harscot]

Hi people, quick question, anyone know of any legalitys on carrying a pillion who might be classed as over the limit for driving, I mean not blind drunk but what you might say as just over the limit......

cheers

Harscot
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First bike R reg Suzuki 125 GT twin in 1978:
2nd bike X reg Honda 650 Deauville in 2011:
Wish bike a Triumph Thunderbird: Dream bike Triumph Rocket........

[LockyUK]

unsure, but why would you want too ?

if your pillion does anything silly at all, it is you that suffers also

my opinion, DONT

[J.M.]

There was a thread on this a while ago. If I remember correctly the general consensus was that it was not illegal to do so but also not advisable to do so.

Though some people commented on how dunk pillions were actually better pillions because they're more relaxed, instead of non-drunk pillions who can try and do too much and make riding harder.

There are a couple of people I would happily let on the back of my bike whilst drunk. That said, there also isn't that many people I would put on the back even whilst sober. There's only been a total of 3 pillions on my bike to date, and one of them was me.

The ones that I would take either ride themselves or have been pillion with me several times before.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[harscot]

[Rogerborg]

I can't think offhand of anything specific that you could be charged with (or at least convicted of) unless she was actually causing you to drive carelessly, or wrapping her legs around your head so you couldn't see (RTA 1988 41D). I'd be prepared to be surprised though.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Richtea]

[Serendipity]

I don’t know of any law against it and in the circumstances you describe I wouldn’t have a problem.

My wife is the best pillion passenger I know, having commuted with me for years. I’ve carried her a few times when she’s been a little worse for wear and once when she was significantly merry. I wouldn’t have allowed her on the bike if she was in any worse state. She was clearly over the limit, but could function normally and didn’t have any behavioural issues. My biggest worry on that occasion was in case she fell asleep.

Give a lift to trusted friend\spouse after moderate social drinking = yes.
Give a lift to Fat Frank from engineering after an all-dayer on vodka and speed = emphatic NO!
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2007 CBF1000 & 2016 CBF1000F - Commuter heaven | 1994 CBR600FR - Awaiting defibrillation

[Vincent]

[snikks]

[Thelostone]

As Mr Vincent suggested, CU50 - Causing or likely to cause danger by reason of load or passengers.

[johnsmith222]

It's perfectly legal. I would like to see a copper try to be arsey about it to me as it's something me and my pals do often.

Your biggest issue should be whether or not the pillion is experienced enough and whether you can trust them.

[stinkwheel]

Yes. Unsafe load. I remember hearing about a pillion being breathalised then the rider being done for it. All hearsay but it was a believable source.

You can however carry someone drunk as a fucking skunk, surfing on a flatbed sidecar without a seat, helmet, or indeed, anything to hold on to. There simply aren't any laws pertaining to the subject.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Louise]

[_matt]

Drove home tonight after:
1 beer for me
5-6 glasses of wine for her

end up doing this pretty often so, look, if your pillion is used to being on a bike and isn't pissed off their face, it's generally alright in my experience, as long as they''re still compus mentus and can cope with holding on/leaning etc.

From past experience: riding your bike when a bit pissed is a lot more difficult than driving a car when you've had a few, so dont over-estimate it. 3 Glasses of wine and you could end up sleeping in a hospital bed.

best advice:
Is it legal? yes, no, maybe, probably, who knows but: why wouldnt it be? no difference to a car passanger really, they're not "in control" of the vehicle (not technically anyway).

My advice:dont carry a pillion that isnt experienced if they or you have had some of the old mother's ruin, obviously if it's your mrs and shes had a couple glasses with dinner or whatever, then i wouldnt fret on it. if she can talk straight and walk straight then no problem!
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1990 Yamaha XV 535 (Alive Again!) / 2007 Jinlun Texan 125-11 (formerly 2k3, wrong details, now going rusty in the back garden )

[Rogerborg]

[Thelostone]

[Vincent]

When I suggested "unsafe load", I was joking. It's what we used to call drunk pillions and comes from when I used to work on the trees and would stack trailers high with the rubbish. We were always warned to make sure it was tied up well so we didn't get done for an unsafe load.

Talking about strange laws, I had a mate that was done for "being drunk in charge of a bicycle" once He took the pushbike as he didn't want to ride his motorcycle after drinking.
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Space Is Deep

[harscot]

Thank you everyone for your input, I also read up past threads on the subject and have come to the conclusion that, ( if her legs are around my head " RESULT " and some quick action, ) you just need to be more carefull and aware of pillions state, if to drunk forget it, if just a couple of wines then fine.

Vincent... Drunk in charge of a horse....Drunk in charge of a pram....Drunk in charge of ones self...and even Drunk in charge of a child...all reported in Newspapers over the years....makes you think!!!

Cheers
Harscot
____________________
First bike R reg Suzuki 125 GT twin in 1978:
2nd bike X reg Honda 650 Deauville in 2011:
Wish bike a Triumph Thunderbird: Dream bike Triumph Rocket........