Florida Man Arrested for DUI on Lawnmower

When you think of a DUI, a lawnmower probably doesn’t come to mind. However, a recent DUI arrest in Florida involved a man riding a lawnmower.

The 68-year-old man was arrested in Haines City on May 5. He was riding a lawnmower with a trailer when he crashed into a police vehicle outside a local business. The cruiser suffered minor damage to the bumper. The police officer came outside upon hearing a loud crash. The man admitted to the accident. The man had bloodshot eyes and his demeanor changed from angry to joking multiple times. He was given a field sobriety test, which he failed.

The man was arrested and taken to the local police department. He consented to a breath test, but tried to trick the test and therefore failed to provide an accurate sample. While there, he demanded to be taken to the hospital, as he claimed police were poisoning him. At the hospital, his blood alcohol content (BAC) was tested. It registered at 0.241—triple the legal limit. A test also showed cocaine in his blood, but the man claimed that police put it there.

This was not the man’s first brush with the law. He has two prior DUI convictions and his driver’s license has been suspended since 1978. He now faces multiple charges, including DUI and refusal to submit a DUI test. He is currently at Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Bond is set at $3,000. The man’s lawnmower was towed away.

How Can You Get a DUI on a Lawnmower?

Many people are under the impression that you cannot get a DUI while riding a lawnmower. Well, they are wrong. DUIs are not limited to cars, trucks and motorcycles. Any type of motorized vehicle falls under DUI laws. Any type of propelled vehicle, such as a scooter, boat , golf cart, ATV or snowmobile would also be considered a motorized vehicle under the law. Therefore, a lawnmower would fall in this category as well.

The man in this case was driving on public property. But what happens if you drive a motorized vehicle on private property? Can you still be charged with a DUI? This varies from state to state. In Florida, you can be charged with a DUI if you are riding a lawnmower on your own property while intoxicated. The law applies to golf courses and go-kart racing tracks as well. There are no exceptions for private property. You could get arrested in your own driveway. Even those who are intoxicated while on a bicycle can face criminal charges.

Seek Help for Your DUI Case

As seen here, DUI cases can be serious, even when traditional vehicles like cars and trucks are not involved. A person can face harsh consequences.

Avoid the penalties associated with a DUI. Seek legal help from the Dade City DUI defense attorneys at Madonna Law Group. Whether you are driving a car, truck or lawnmower, our aggressive lawyers can defend you. Schedule your free consultation today. Call our office at (800) 557-0411.

Resource:

local10.com/news/florida/florida-man-charged-with-dui-on-his-lawn-mower

https://www.manderlawgroup.com/florida-man-killed-after-rear-ending-dump-truck/