Ont. man charged with impaired driving on electric skateboard

An undated promotional photo for the Onewheel XR Classic Electric Skateboard. (OneWheel)

A 36-year-old northwestern Ontario man is facing criminal charges after Ontario Provincial Police stopped him for allegedly operating an electric skateboard while impaired.

The incident occurred Friday evening at about 10 p.m., according to police, when officers “engaged a male operating a OneWheel electric skateboard” in the community of Balmertown.

According to an OPP news release, police “conducted a traffic stop on an erratic driver” and subsequently began an impaired driving investigation.

The local man now faces two operation while impaired charges under the Criminal Code – including having a blood alcohol concentration of more than 80.

Additionally, as a result, the accused’s driver’s licence was suspended for 90 days.

The skateboarder is scheduled to appear in court in Red Lake on Sept.18 to answer to the charges.

In the release, OPP reiterated to the public a reminder to “never drive impaired.”

Further, authorities asked that anyone who suspects an impaired driver call OPP at 1-888-310-1122 when it is safe to do so, or dial 911 in an emergency.