Sober Friend Commercial

Is riding a horse while drunk legal in Montana?

HELENA, Mont. (AP) -- A Montana Department of Transportation

public safety video that features a horse picking up a rider at a

bar and intended as a metaphor to encourage drinkers to get a ride

home is being taken literally 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 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.

McGee notes it's legal to ride a horse within the city limits of

Helena, the state's capital.

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Information from: Independent Record, http://www.helenair.com

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

APNP-01-16-11 1252MST