… and the horse you rode in on!
If you need a ride home from the bar, consider a horse! Ohio Revised Code 4511.01(A) defines what constitutes a vehicle for purposes of the DUI statute:
every device, including a motorized bicycle, in, upon, or by which any person or property may be transported or drawn upon a highway, except that “vehicle” does not include any motorized wheelchair, any electric personal assistive mobility device, any device that is moved by power collected from overhead electric trolley wires, or that is used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks, or any device, other than a bicycle, that is moved by human power.
Applying this definition has lead to some interesting rulings. For instance, a mounted bicyclist can get a DUI, State v. Shepard, 1 Ohio App.3d 104, 439 N.E.2d 920 (1st Dist. Hamilton County 1981), whereas a dismounted bicyclist is a pedestrian and not subject to a DUI. Jones v. Santel, 164 Ohio St. 93, 128 N.E.2d 36 (1955). You can even be convicted if you are riding your kids bicycle that is way too small for you and that can only be ridden with great difficulty. State v. Jones, 2008-Ohio-304 (Ohio Ct. App. 4th Dist. Lawrence County 2008).
You can get an OVI on a snowmobile State v. Moran, 1998 WL 281375 (Ohio Ct. App. 9th Dist. Wayne County 1998), a motorized bar stool and a motorized lazy boy. You can get a drunk driving conviction on a golf cart State v. Sanchez, 1991 WL 132506 (Ohio Ct. App. 6th Dist. Ottawa County) and a farm tractor Wauseon v. Badenhop, 9 Ohio St. 3d 152, 459 N.E.2d 867 (1984), but not a horse! In State v. Euton, 77 Ohio Misc. 2d 19, 665 N.E.2d 867 (1984), the Portsmouth Municipal Court ruled that a horse was not a vehicle for purposes of the Ohio DUI statute, R.C. 4511.19. So if you get pulled over for OVI, make sure your on a horse, if not call OVI attorney Charles M. Rowland II by phone at 937-318-1DUI (937-318-1384), 937-879-9542, or toll-free at 1-888-ROWLAND (1-888-769-5263). For after-hours help contact our 24/7 DUI HOTLINE at 937-776-2671. Visit www.DaytonDUI.com, www.SpringfieldDUI.com,www.OhioDUIdefense.com, www.KetteringDUI.com,www.BeavercreekDUI.com, www.FairbornDUI.com, www.VandaliaDUI.com,www.HuberHeightsDUI.com, www.MiamisburgDUI.com or, www.XeniaDUI.com. Immediate help is available by filling out the CONTACT form on any of these pages. For information about Dayton DUI sent directly to your mobile device, text DaytonDUI (one word) to 50500. Follow DaytonDUI on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/DaytonDUI or Get Twitterupdates via SMS by texting follow DaytonDUI to 40404. DaytonDUI is also available on Facebook and you can access updates by becoming a fan of Dayton DUI/OVI Defense. You can also email Charles Rowland at: CharlesRowland@DaytonDUI.com or write to us at 2190 Gateway Dr., Fairborn, Ohio 45324.
Related articles
- Ohio’s Implied Consent Law (daytondui.com)
- Vehicle Seizure in Ohio (daytondui.com)
- Only In Texas: Men Arrested For DWI On A Horse (outsidethebeltway.com)
- DUI Science and More Faulty Breath Machine Assumptions (daytondui.com)
- DUI Science and More Faulty Breath Machine Assumptions (daytondui.com)
- Bill of Particulars (daytondui.com)
