Hacker News Reader

Comment by moremetadata | Hacker News Reader

> https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=amish+drunk+dri...

The Amish have been reminding Americans what they miss out on by ignoring their past. In fact anyone with a horse and likes a drink at the pub, knows its best to the take horse and not the car!

View on HN

California's Vehicle Code (VEH) would still allow for a DUI charge when riding a horse. According to urban legend (and a lot of dubious websites), there are cases where Californians have been convicted of a DUI on a horse, though I haven't been able to find reputable sources for those claims.

VEH 1.670 [0]

> A “vehicle” is a device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, or drawn upon a highway, excepting a device moved exclusively by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.

VEH 11.12.23152(a) [1]

> It is unlawful for a person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage to drive a vehicle.

[0] https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySectio....

[1] https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySectio...

IIRC many states other than just CA will give you a DUI for driving a lawn tractor drunk. On the road, at least. And in plenty of places just being in the car drunk is enough, even if you're in the back seat trying to sleep it off.

If you're capable of operating the vehicle, it can still count. A driving instructor once told me that if you have to sleep off drunkenness in the car, find a place to hide the key (ideally outside the car) so you are not considered capable of operating it.

Really, these laws are pretty absurd, but drunk driving kills a lot of people so here we are.

In Pennsylvania, a horse or house and buggy are considered vehicles. You are violating DUI laws just as much as if you're driving a car.

hah - but having grown up in rural Wisconsin - the rural highways there are full of drunk drivers because there are no ubers or taxies out there, and full of amish buggies that are nearly invisible at night (they just have one reflector on the back). It is a terrifying combination. Just have your drink at home.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com