No tolerance for driving drunk - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

denim · 06-24-2003, 10:23 AM

Quote:

German loses license for driving lawnmower drunk
Mowing under the influence

Tuesday, June 24, 2003 Posted: 10:44 AM EDT (1444 GMT)

BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) -- A German gardener has been fined and stripped of his license for driving his lawnmower while drunk, a court said on Tuesday.

The court fined the 45-year-old man 400 euros ($460) and banned him from driving all vehicles, including his mower, for three months after police did a check on him as he was parking the vehicle, which has a maximum speed of 6 km/h (4 mph).

Defense lawyer Stefan Deppe told Reuters his client would appeal. "The mower does not pose the remotest danger to the public and common sense should have been applied," he said.

Police breath-tested the gardener after detecting the smell of alcohol as he finished mowing a lawn for a client. "He said he'd had a bottle of wine," Deppe said.

So I guess it's true: the Germans really do have no tolerance for drunk driving.

Cynthetiq · 06-24-2003, 10:30 AM

try riding your bike while intoxicated and it will net you a ticket in most states, same for boating, skiing, rollerblading...

there's plenty of laws that cover that type of behavior...

MSD · 06-24-2003, 10:50 AM

If it was his own house, it wouldn't be a huge problem in my mind as long as he didn't get too close to the neighbors. I'd still say he should get at least a warning. If it's at a client's house, it's just unprofessional to do business after having a bottle of wine. The fact is, even if a vehicle has a top speed of 4 mph, it still has two big sharp things spinning around under it, and those can pose a serious risk to children, pets, and property.

Mister Coaster · 06-24-2003, 10:57 AM

I suppose this is fair, if you consider it "operating machinery" under the influence. I doubt, however, that he would have been able to run anyone down with the max speed of 4mph. I guess he could have somehow destroyed property or something like that.

denim · 06-24-2003, 11:21 AM

Yeah, look at all that grass he damaged!

pickledaddy · 06-26-2003, 11:43 PM

The article doesn't do a very good job of describing the circumstances in which he was arrested. If it was on his own property, I think the cops should have left him alone. However, if he was going all over the place or something, then it was justified.

seretogis · 06-27-2003, 12:41 AM

Good. Get one more drunken idiot off of the streets. Err, I mean the lawns. Whatever.

06-24-2003, 10:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	try riding your bike while intoxicated and it will net you a ticket in most states, same for boating, skiing, rollerblading... there's plenty of laws that cover that type of behavior... __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

06-24-2003, 10:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
Mister Coaster Big & Brassy Location: The "Canyon"	I suppose this is fair, if you consider it "operating machinery" under the influence. I doubt, however, that he would have been able to run anyone down with the max speed of 4mph. I guess he could have somehow destroyed property or something like that. __________________ If you have any poo... fling it NOW!

06-27-2003, 12:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
seretogis Huggles, sir? Location: Seattle	Good. Get one more drunken idiot off of the streets. Err, I mean the lawns. Whatever. __________________ seretogis - sieg heil perfect little dream the kind that hurts the most, forgot how it feels well almost no one to blame always the same, open my eyes wake up in flames

06-24-2003, 10:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	If it was his own house, it wouldn't be a huge problem in my mind as long as he didn't get too close to the neighbors. I'd still say he should get at least a warning. If it's at a client's house, it's just unprofessional to do business after having a bottle of wine. The fact is, even if a vehicle has a top speed of 4 mph, it still has two big sharp things spinning around under it, and those can pose a serious risk to children, pets, and property.

06-24-2003, 11:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
denim Banned Location: Massachusetts, USA	Yeah, look at all that grass he damaged!

06-26-2003, 11:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
pickledaddy Loser Location: TN	The article doesn't do a very good job of describing the circumstances in which he was arrested. If it was on his own property, I think the cops should have left him alone. However, if he was going all over the place or something, then it was justified.