http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/transportation/blogs/norway-nabs-its-first-drunk-segway-driver Norway nabs its first drunk Segway driver Aug 20, 2014
[image / Shutterstock http://www.mnn.com/sites/default/files/styles/featured_blog/public/SegwayRiders.jpg ] The oft-mocked 'personal transporters' have been legal in the country for less than 2 months and there's already been a (suspected) drunk Segwaying arrest. Well, that didn't take long ... Only a little over a month has passed since Norway lifted its longstanding ban on Paul Blart's preferred mode of transportation, the Segway, and already it would appear that someone has been arrested for driving one of the godforsaken things while under the influence. While the results of a blood test taken from the allegedly sloshed individual have yet to be publicly released, police in Oslo are firm in the belief that alcohol is behind the Segway driver’s reportedly “strange behaviour” and inability to maintain his balance while operating the self-balancing two-wheeled electric vehicle. Says Oslo traffic police chief Finn Erik Grønli of the drunk-on-a-Segway incident which took place in the trendy Tjuvholmen and was witnessed by several (unscathed) witnesses: “The man is charged for his driving. The case will be investigated further.” He adds: “I hope that we don't have many drunk people on Segways now. These (vehicles) are to be regarded the same as other vehicles when it comes to drink (sic) driving. An accident can result in injuries, both for people and the vehicles.” Segway driving/ownership, along with professional boxing (outlawed since 1981), was legalized in the squeaky clean Scandinavian nation on July 1. Segways had previously been banned in Norway due to safety concerns. Now, anyone over the age of 16 can tootle around town on a battery-powered scooter-mabob capable of reaching speeds of over 12mph — they're technically classified as mopeds in the country — provided that the driver is donning a helmet and is in possession of proper registration, insurance, and a valid license. While Segways have been subjected to ridicule and extended eye-rolling in many countries including the United States where they’re primarily used by police officers, tourists, and the clueless, Norwegian officials ultimately decided to lift the ban on the devices — the Google Glass of the early aughts — in hopes that they’d help to "revolutionise traffic patterns" while providing folks with a newfangled, less-polluting way to get around. While the recent arrest is a first for Norway, boozed-up Segway-driving incidents have been reported elsewhere including in a place where there are more than a few residents of Norwegian decent: Minnesota. Mark Greenman of Medina, Minn. was nabbed not once but three times from 2010 through 2013 for operating a Segway while inebriated (he was on his way from the bar), each time successfully dodging DWI charges. In Jan. 2013, the Minnesota Court of Appeals dismissed charges against Greenman stemming from a Feb. 2012 arrest. Even though Greenman's blood alcohol levels were off the charts, under Minnesota law the Segway, like a wheelchair, is classified as a “an electric personal assistive mobility device” and not a proper motor vehicle. [segway.com], the manufacturer of the original Segway PT, was sold by inventor/owner Dean Kamen to British entrepreneur Jimi Heselden in 2010. Tragically, Heselden died that same year when he accidentally plunged off of a cliff near his West Yorkshire home. He was riding a Segway at the time. [© mnn.com] ... http://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/nation/2013/01/24/1861543/ Judge: Driving drunk on Segway not illegal (video) ... http://www.twincities.com/ci_22427912/driving-drunk-segway-wont-get-you-dwi-charge Driving drunk on a Segway is legal, Minnesota court rules By Emily Gurnon 01/22/2013 ... http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2013/01/minnesota_supreme_court_rules_you_can_legally_drunk-drive_segways.php Minnesota Supreme Court rules you can legally drunk-drive Segways By Aaron Rupar Tue., Jan. 22 2013 ... [videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RLReUmp358 Drunk Segway driver near miss with bus Sam Powell Mar 20, 2014 WOAH that was close! Rugby tourists try Segway riding for the first time in a busy piazza in Rome. Whilst pissed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrfhBGsQgsk Drunk Segway drew ketner Jul 27, 2013 Buckin bronco https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHCCwxqBr2o Drunk idiot on a segway Ryan McCarron Sep 6, 2011 This video was uploaded from an Android phone http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x49ncn_highly-intoxicated-drunken-segway-r_fun Highly Intoxicated - Drunken Segway Rider - A Real Scream! by UberLoungeDotCom Feb 4, 2008 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0iAonkCMag Segway + Alcohol = Funny #2 GroverSLC Oct 31, 2007 drunk guy at it again ] For all EVLN posts use: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/template/NamlServlet.jtp?macro=search_page&node=413529&query=evln&sort=date http://thenewswheel.com/2015-kia-soul-ev-theres-app/ 2015 Kia Soul EV> There’s A Free iPad App for That http://green.autoblog.com/2014/08/15/renovo-coupe-electric-supercar-500-hp-for-just-529000-video/ $529k Renovo Coupe 500HP e-supercar (video) r:100mi 0-60mph:3.4s ... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2726320/New-electric-American-supercar-classic-style-aims-quicker-charge.html http://www.businessinsider.in/CREDIT-SUISSE-Electric-Vehicles-Are-Better-Than-Internal-Combustion-Engines-The-Public-Just-Doesnt-Know-It-Yet/articleshow/40283284.cms EVs Are Better Than ice - The Public Just Doesn't Know It Yet http://www.gizmag.com/barak-electric-bike-conversion-kit/33306/ Barak e-bicycle conversion-kit brings the voltage to any front wheel ... https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1354698863/barak-electric-bicycle-conversion-kit-electrify-yo http://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/271120551.html BC Hydro installing 30 L3 Quick EV charging stations + EVLN: Geek-chic hamsters tout Kia Soul EV on MTV video awards {brucedp.150m.com} -- View this message in context: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/EVLN-Boozed-up-Segwaying-Norwegians-DUI-arrests-in-Norway-Minnesota-tp4671135.html Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
