Horseback riding while intoxicated: Legal in Montana (but probably not as safe as taking a taxi)
- Share via
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
HELENA, Mont. — A Montana Department of Transportation public safety video that features a horse picking up a rider at a bar is intended as a metaphor to encourage drinkers to get a ride home.
But it is being taken literally by some in a state well known for its horse culture.
Helena Police Chief Troy McGee says he’s received many calls from residents wanting to know if riding a horse while under the influence is legal. McGee tells the Independent Record newspaper that it is.
Montana law carefully defines a vehicle, and excludes those running under animal power.
The popular 30-second video titled ‘Sober Friend’ shows a savvy horse carefully obeying traffic laws on a nighttime journey through town before stopping in front of a bar to pick up a rider.
RELATED QUESTIONABLE IDEAS:
• Drunk Australian man is injured while trying to pet 16-foot saltwater crocodile
• Man arrested for drunkenness after giving mouth-to-mouth to roadkill
-- Associated Press
Video: The ‘Sober Friend’ commercial. Credit: Montana Department of Transportation