Drunk man flees police in wheelchair – fall included!

Drunk man flees police in wheelchair – fall included!

In Künzelsau, Hohenlohekreis, a bizarre incident occurred when a 48-year-old man, under the influence of alcohol, fled from a police patrol in his motorized wheelchair. The police intervention came after the man ignored several stop signals, which ultimately led to a pursuit and subsequent crash for both the wheelchair user and a police officer who tried to stop him. Both were slightly injured while escaping, which further underlined the absurdity of the situation.

The strange chase began when police tried to control the drunken man. But instead of stopping, the victim accelerated in his wheelchair, which is believed to have made him unable to drive safely due to his high alcohol level, which a breathalyzer test showed was around 1.2 per mille. He headed into a dead end that later became a pedestrian path. The officers then had to get out of the patrol car to pursue the man on foot.

Legal basis and consequences

According to the Bavarian Supreme Court, motorized wheelchairs are considered vehicles. This means that using them under the influence of alcohol is a criminal offense as they fall under Section 316 of the Criminal Code regarding drunk driving. An example of this is a case in which another man drove to the gas station in a motorized wheelchair, drunk with a blood alcohol level of 1.25, and received a fine of 1,500 euros, despite no driving error. This illustrates the strict legal regulations that also apply to this type of vehicle. There are specific limits for wheelchair users that depend on the type of wheelchair. For motorized wheelchairs the limit is 1.1 per mille, while for bicycles the limit is generally 1.6 per mille.

The incidents surrounding the drunken wheelchair user in Künzelsau raise important questions about safety and the legal framework for people who rely on motorized aids. While these vehicles provide mobility, they also pose dangers, especially when drivers are under the influence of alcohol. The discussion about appropriate penalties and the associated mobility rights for people with disabilities has thus come back into focus, as driving bans are often disproportionately burdensome for these people.

Important aspects of mobility

Courts have already shown in assessments that a distinction is necessary between electrically powered wheelchairs and other motorized vehicles. Electric motor wheelchairs have lower speeds and lower masses, which means their risk potential is considered to be lower. At the same time, they can be used in many areas where bicycles are not allowed. This requires special consideration and sensitive handling of the legal requirements in order not to unnecessarily restrict the mobility of the people affected.

The 48-year-old from Künzelsau is now facing several charges resulting from this incident. The tragedy of the incident highlights how complex the issues of drunk driving and the rights of people with disabilities are.