A man from Prince George, British Columbia, recently took a ride in a Barbie Jeep to get a Slurpee. Unfortunately for him, this unusual ride during rush hour ended with an arrest for drunk driving.
A Barbie Jeep Ride Gone Wrong
Last Friday, a resident of Prince George – a small town located between Vancouver and Alaska – was intercepted by police while driving a pink toy car, specifically a Power Wheels Jeep. According to Global News, the man, sporting Pit Viper-style sunglasses and a t-shirt proclaiming “Let’s do it the stupidest way possible,” had borrowed the miniature vehicle belonging to his roommate’s daughter to go to a convenience store.
The Driver’s Arguments
The driver attempted to justify his escapade: “It wasn’t a high-speed chase. I waited until it was safe, and when I crossed the road, I used my hand signals.” Despite his stated precautions and the seemingly humorous aspect of the situation, law enforcement did not find the matter so amusing.
The Legal Consequences
Breathalyzer tests revealed a blood alcohol level above the legal limit, resulting in the man receiving a 90-day driving prohibition and a court summons. It turned out that his driver’s license was already suspended, which likely explains why he had opted for this single-seat Barbiemobile instead of a conventional car.
The Legal Definition of a Motor Vehicle
Canadian authorities consider any vehicle operating on public roads and propelled by anything other than muscular force to fall under the definition of a motor vehicle. As such, it requires a driver with a valid license and insurance.
Return to Normalcy
Fortunately, the roommate’s daughter got her Barbie Jeep back intact. This story, as surreal as it may be, serves as a reminder: while law enforcement may sometimes appreciate the humor in a situation, the offense of driving under the influence in any wheeled vehicle is still severely punished.