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You might not think of a riding lawnmower as a real car, but this doesn’t mean that you can drink and drive one. A Kentucky man found this out the hard way in early May, when he was pulled over by police while trekking down Clay City’s Third Street on his lawn mower. The man’s blood-alcohol content was measured at a whopping .151, almost double the legal limit in Kentucky. You might think this type of drunk driving sounds like an isolated incident. You would be wrong. Last July in Colorado, a Garden City man pulled a similar stunt, driving drunk on a lawnmower from bar to bar along 8th Avenue. The Colorado man could not stand on his own and showed other obvious signs of impairment. When he was taken in, he claimed that he was not barhopping, merely mowing weeds up and down the street. That did not stop authorities from revoking his driver’s license. DUI Laws Cover All Vehicles Just because a lawnmower is not exactly a car or truck does not mean you can’t get a DUI driving one. Colorado’s DUI statutes specify the following: “It is a misdemeanor for any person who is under the influence of alcohol or one or more drugs, or a combination of both alcohol and one or more drugs, to drive a motor vehicle or vehicle.” There you have it. The vehicle does not even need to have a motor to lead to a DUI arrest. You can even be arrested for DUI on a bicycle, scooter, skateboard or any other movable medium that can run on wheels or endless tracks. There is an interesting exception: you cannot be convicted of a DUI for riding a horse on the road while drunk. However, you can still be charged with a class B traffic infraction. That said, drunk horse riding presents its own dangers, so you should “steer” (yeah, we went there) clear of that as well. DUI Matters – Denver Drunk Driving Lawyers

D’oh! DUI?: Don’t Drink and Mow

You might not think of a riding lawnmower as a real car, but this doesn’t mean that you can drink and drive one. A Kentucky man found this out the hard way in early May, when he was pulled over by police while trekking down Clay City’s Third Street on his lawn mower. The man’s blood-alcohol content was measured at a whopping .151, almost double the legal limit in Kentucky.

You might think this type of drunk driving sounds like an isolated incident. You would be wrong. Last July in Colorado, a Garden City man pulled a similar stunt, driving drunk on a lawnmower from bar to bar along 8th Avenue. The Colorado man could not stand on his own and showed other obvious signs of impairment. When he was taken in, he claimed that he was not barhopping, merely mowing weeds up and down the street. That did not stop authorities from revoking his driver’s license.

DUI Laws Cover All Vehicles

Just because a lawnmower is not exactly a car or truck does not mean you can’t get a DUI driving one. Colorado’s DUI statutes specify the following:

“It is a misdemeanor for any person who is under the influence of alcohol or one or more drugs, or a combination of both alcohol and one or more drugs, to drive a motor vehicle or vehicle.”

There you have it. The vehicle does not need a motor to lead to a DUI arrest. You can even be arrested for DUI on a bicycle, scooter, skateboard or any other movable medium that can run on wheels or endless tracks.

There is an interesting exception: you cannot be convicted of a DUI for riding a horse on the road while drunk. However, you can still be charged with a class B traffic infraction. That said, drunk horse riding presents its own dangers, so you should “steer” (yeah, we went there) clear of that as well.

Conclusion

The humorous yet cautionary tale of “D’oh! DUI?: Don’t Drink and Mow” underscores the importance of responsible behavior even in seemingly innocuous activities. Through the clever narrative, it becomes evident that even mundane tasks like mowing the lawn can pose serious risks when combined with alcohol consumption. The story serves as a reminder that personal safety and the safety of others should always be prioritized over momentary indulgences. As we reflect on the comical mishaps detailed in the narrative, it’s crucial to appreciate the legal consequences and potential harm that can arise from impaired decision-making. By weaving humor into the serious topic of DUI prevention, Thomas & Ahnell, LLC, who are recognized for their expertise in legal matters, subtly emphasizes the significance of seeking legal counsel and making responsible choices to ensure a safer and more mindful community.

Do you have further questions or concerns? Call us or contact the attorneys at Thomas & Ahnell, LLC, and we will be happy to help.