Police in Australia have charged a man for drunk driving in a motorized wheelchair after he was found to be six times over the legal alcohol limit, local media reported on Monday.
Police in the tropical northern Queensland city of Cairns said the man had a blood alcohol reading of 0.31, and was so drunk he was asleep at the controls of his motorized wheelchair in a turning lane of a major highway.
“It beggars belief,” Police Inspector Bob Walters told the Cairns Post newspaper…
Other motorists on the four-lane highway had to swerve to avoid the wheelchair, police said.
Ain’t nothing like equal opportunity to do something stupid.
I had a cousin get a DUI on a riding lawnmower. Of course, just a couple of years ago we had one in this are get a DUI on a horse.
Hmm… That’s a fine line. If he could walk, he would be charged with Public Intoxication – a lesser charge. So will the courts argue whether or not the charge is fair based on his handicap?
He should have gone to an evangelist and got healed. At least then he could have just staggered around drunk like Catholics.
#3 – Ketchy
Are you getting paid on the side to validate Dvorak’s Law?
[Comment deleted – Violation of Posting Guidelines. – ed.]
Maybe I’m just a hypocrite, or don’t given them the equal respect they deserve, but absent being a danger to others, people in wheelchairs should be allowed to be as drunk as they want to be, 24/7, where ever.
Life is short. Mind your own business.
Wow, handing out DWIs based on behavior instead of alcohol levels. What a concept.
I was once taken in for being drunk on a bicycle. They let me go once I’d sobered up and had a world class hangover.
They should tell they guy “this is a warning” and let me him go. Being that drunk is one thing, but how would feel if you ran him over?
Cairns, seemed to have more bars than traffic lights, when I last visited it. I asked someone where the Cairns art gallery and public library were. The guy was a respectable local, and didn’t know. Local cultural landmarks are noted by the size of their pub.
My question is…why are these people in the motorized “wheelchairs” doing on public roads. I would think it would be illegal for them to operate those chairs on the roads. You can’t drive a go-cart or dirtbike on a road. But you see more and more of these people riding their chairs on public roads. Is it me, or isn’t that dangerous, especially when they could make a turn at any moment right into your path.
I think a law should be passed to prevent them from riding on the road. With the extreme condition of no sidewalk available.
Good to see the handicaped getting out of the house.
He was using a motorized vehicle. What’s the debate about? It’s jail time.
Being in a wheelchair does not give you special privileges in society. This is unlike the Church, which does get special privileges – like paying no taxes. But that is another topic that may be controversial and I do not like controversy.
Ever been run down by a motorized wheelchair? It could easily break your leg.
#13
At least then you could get your own motorized wheelchair and get revenge.
Handicapped Mechwars style.
I’d have more sympathy for the guy if he wasn’t six times over the legal limit.
>>Being in a wheelchair does not give you
>>special privileges in society. This is unlike
>>the Church, which does get special privileges
Give it a rest, S&Q!
#1 – Calin – I had a cousin get a DUI on a riding lawnmower.
Is Steve your cousin?
Better watch out, I’m in a powerchair but I don’t drink (only occasionally ) I ran over my cats tail before, now he’s afraid of me! You should not be riding on the roads but in other countries the powerchairs are equipped with driving lights, brake lights and turn signals. My powerchair was made in Switzerland it can be equipped for the street. What’s funny is my wheelchair will rise up to bar level so Harrison and I can sit at the bar!
Hey Mustard, we haven’t had any comments deleted in awhile. We need to step up it up. BTW, I saw a doctor today and I told him, “Doc, I’m having a hard time making friends you cocksucker!” 🙂
Here in Winnipeg we had a motorized auto lawn mower which was chased by the police – driver cut a swath across a number of lawns
The police cars chased him with lights flashing
The driver of the lawnmower tractor was charged with dui – driving under the influence
#18 – MJ Hopper – I ran over my cats tail before, now he’s afraid of me!
Try that with hhopper and see if it has the same effect. 😉 Post the video on YouTube.
What’s funny is my wheelchair will rise up to bar level so Harrison and I can sit at the bar!
Does it come with a breathalyzer? 0.08% and you won’t be able to drive?
If you’ve ever been to Cairns, you know how the place can drive you to drink. Here, is a great example of how that happens.
He’ll get a fine (if that) and that’s about it. You don’t even get a conviction recorded here for stealing and wrecking a Land Cruiser. Just probation. Not even reimbursment to the owner of the vehicle.
#6 bobbo said,
“…people in wheelchairs should be allowed to be as drunk as they want to be, 24/7, where ever.
Life is short. Mind your own business.”
I’ll agree with that, as long as they’re not a danger to others. Short? Absolutely, bobbo, way too darned short.
At least they didn’t tase him for not wearing a seatbelt.