Ontario Canada Man Fined for DUI in Mother’s Wheelchair
A Toronto, Ontario man was fined for drunk driving while in a motorized wheelchair.
Around the United States, courts have disagreed about what constitutes a vehicle. In the U.S.A., riding a horse drunk, on a street, can get you a DUI, but operating a Zamboni, in an ice rink, cannot.
Now, Ontario has an interesting case. Patrick Shanahan was stopped by police while operating a motorized wheelchair. He was on his way home from the pub in his mother’s wheelchair. Shanahan is a self-described alcoholic, who has a prior impaired driving conviction.
Shanahan said “I don’t need a license to operate it, I don’t need insurance and I don’t need license plates to operate it.”
I would have to believe he was convicted more because the judge was outraged at his bizarre attempt to avoid a DUI. Shanahan was order to seek counseling.
One Response so far
Erin
May 12th, 2011
11:53 am
So if it had been his own wheelchair and was his only means of transport(used in place of legs that don’t work) would it still count for a DUI? Cause in his case he was kind of joy riding in someone else’s chair, but would there be any difference if the chair was his only way to get around?
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