DWI and lawmower

[Parkmower]

In Virginia, technically they can arrest for for public consumption if people can see you drinking in your front yard. This law probably predates the United States and is only likely to be used if the police officer or one of your neighbors is a real jerk or you're acting like a real jerk. However, I'd made a long habit of only doing one dangerous thing at a time, so I save the cold ones until I'm done mowing, chainsawing, shooting, reloading, boating, welding, whatever. May be dull, but I still have all my body parts, eyes and hearing.

Good advice!! Kinda goes along same lines as "one crime at a time" not that I'm a criminal or commit any crimes.

 

[reynoldston]

That is why my brother-in law was missing a lot of his fingers before he passed away.

 

[Walleteater1]

Now if your drunk and operating a mower on your own property, you are danger to yourself and others. However I don't think that should be a defination of DWI. Someone mentioned reckless endangerment or something, that sounds closer to it to me. This was 20yrs or so ago, but I did here of a guy, father to someone I knew then who had his drivers license taken away for DWI's then started driving a 3 wheeler or something like that back and forth to the convience store for supplies?, got that taken away from him and then started driving the mower to the store while drunk and they put him in jail for that.

 

[jmurray01]

I think an MUI would solve the problem! :thumbsup:

 

[reynoldston]

Now if your drunk and operating a mower on your own property, you are danger to yourself and others. However I don't think that should be a defination of DWI. Someone mentioned reckless endangerment or something, that sounds closer to it to me. This was 20yrs or so ago, but I did here of a guy, father to someone I knew then who had his drivers license taken away for DWI's then started driving a 3 wheeler or something like that back and forth to the convience store for supplies?, got that taken away from him and then started driving the mower to the store while drunk and they put him in jail for that.

I can well understand it if he was running it on public road or land, the fool got what he deserved. But what if he never left his own lawn does he then?

 

[St8shooter]

The afternoon got away from you and just maybe you just might of have a few too many of you favorite adult beverages. Now you want to mow your own lawn. Do you think that the law should be able come on your own land and give you a DWI or just what should the law be?

A guy I know, who was once a Sheriff in Virginia, got a DWI on a golf cart once in Florida, but he was driving backwards on a main street at the time. As far as a DWI on a lawnmower, Country music star George Jones was famous for drinking and driving his John Deer lawnmower to a beer joint, but again on a public road. I think you would have to be very visibly wasted before the police would bother you on your own property. However, as a law enforcement officer myself, I can tell you that many a drunk in public arrest has been made in the front yard or on the portch of the individual's personal home.

 

[jmurray01]

A guy I know, who was once a Sheriff in Virginia, got a DWI on a golf cart once in Florida, but he was driving backwards on a main street at the time. As far as a DWI on a lawnmower, Country music star George Jones was famous for drinking and driving his John Deer lawnmower to a beer joint, but again on a public road. I think you would have to be very visibly wasted before the police would bother you on your own property. However, as a law enforcement officer myself, I can tell you that many a drunk in public arrest has been made in the front yard or on the portch of the individual's personal home.

I can believe that, because when you're on your own property you get into a false sense of security that you can do what you like without being bothered by the police.

Although driving your JD around your front lawn while being drunk may not be harming anybody else, it would if you accidentally swerved onto the side walk or even the ROAD!

 

[Walleteater1]

I can well understand it if he was running it on public road or land, the fool got what he deserved. But what if he never left his own lawn does he then?

I think it's more in the defination of the law in my opinion.
Should someone be driving a mower drunk on their property?- My opinion. NO
Should they be charged with a DWI that could effect their regular drivers licensce when operating a mower that is NOT an insured and registered vehicle and NOT being operated off their property? - My opinion. NO
Should someone be charged with something because of driving a mower drunk on their property?- My opinion. YES

 

[reynoldston]

I think it's more in the defination of the law in my opinion.
Should someone be driving a mower drunk on their property?- My opinion. NO
Should they be charged with a DWI that could effect their regular drivers licensce when operating a mower that is NOT an insured and registered vehicle and NOT being operated off their property? - My opinion. NO
Should someone be charged with something because of driving a mower drunk on their property?- My opinion. YES

So if you are on your own property minding your business but had too many adult beverages you are saying it is OK for the law to arrest you.

 

[fastback]

I think things have gotten a little out of hand. This used to be the land of the free but there seems to be laws against everything. However, I do think that it may depend on the circumstances etc. It does seem to me that there should be a little flexability when on your oen property. I myself am not much of a drinker maybe 4 to 5 beers per year. I have a neighbor that has a riding mower whick in the past allowed his 6 or 7 year old daughter to ride on the hood all the while he'd be drinking beer and cutting grass. Oh, he did make her wear hearing protection. In his case I think maybe police intervention would be appropriate. Yes, I have spoken to him. His daughter is now 8 and she now drives the tractor, but atleast he doesn't drink:laughing: