North Carolina DWI

North Carolina Court Upholds Scooter Driver's DWI Conviction

Raleigh, NC-North Carolina State Court of Appeals deemed that certain standup scooters fall under the definition of "vehicle" thus allowing scooter-driving defendants to be convicted of DUI.

Kevin Michael Crow, 27, was operating his two-wheeled scooter when he was stopped. According to the county deputy, Crow had run a stop sign and seemed out of control of his scooter.

At the sheriff's office, his blood alcohol content (BAC) was measured at 0.13, much higher than the legal limit of 0.08.

Crow contended that the scooter falls into the state's exceptions for the definition of "vehicle." While the North Carolina state law does exclude bicycles, lawnmowers, and Segway scooters, it does not include high-speed scooters such as the one that Crow had been driving. The three-judges reviewing the appeal made this conclusion regarding Crow's scooter.

According to WWAY News of Wilmington, North Carolina, the conviction was upheld and Crow faces two weeks in jail, a year of probation, and driver's license suspension for two years.

December 20, 2005

Also See:

• New Hampshire Bicyclist's DWI Case Ends in Agreement
• Horse and Bicycle DUI
• Bicyclists and DUI
• Roads Grow More Deadly for Bicyclists
• California Bicyclist Cited for DUI After Being Struck by Car
• Definition of a Vehicle