According to laws on the books in most states, it is illegal to operate a vehicle or motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In the vast majority of DUI and DWI arrests, the individual was operating a car, SUV or truck. However, that does not mean that such arrests and convictions only occur under those circumstances. Many other vehicles fall under the definition of a vehicle or motor vehicle according to state law, but rollerblades do not.
Laws regarding driving while intoxicated or impaired in many states explicitly define a vehicle as one that operates through the use of a motor. Therefore, it is illegal to operate certain motor vehicles while impaired or intoxicated in most states. These can include cars, trucks, SUVs, mopeds, motorcycles, golf carts, lawnmowers, farm equipment and snowmobiles. In other states, a vehicle is one that contains a drivetrain. Under this type of definition, operating something like a bicycle while under the influence is technically illegal. Operating a horse-drawn carriage can also result in a DUI, and there may be separate charges for operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol.
Because rollerblades do not have motors or drivetrains, DUI and DWI laws across the nation do not apply. Still, it is technically possible for a person to be arrested for rollerblading while intoxicated. The charge won’t be a DUI or DWI, however; it will be something along the lines of public intoxication.
As with any type of arrest, a person who is arrested for rollerblading while intoxicated has the right to defend himself or herself. With the right legal representation, charges stemming from rollerblading while under the influence may not be upheld in court. There are no guarantees, however, which is why it is crucial to obtain competent legal representation.
