Many Pennsylvania drivers believe that they can only be arrested and charged with a DUI when they are behind the wheel of a car or truck, or driving a motorcycle, or operating a similar vehicle. But that is not usually the case. A driver may be arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol even when he is operating a vehicle that only travels at low speeds, such as a motorized lawn mower. Although the following incident did not take place in Pennsylvania, it illustrates the potential effects of drunk driving, regardless of the vehicle.

A North Carolina man has been arrested after allegedly causing an accident between his motorized lawn mower, upon which he was riding, and two cars. According to local police, the crash occurred as the man was driving his motorized lawn mower along the shoulder of a road, which is not legal.

The driver of a car was traveling east on the road when the lawn mower suddenly traveled onto the road for an unknown reason. The driver was unable to stop the car in time, and crashed into the lawn mower, ejecting its driver from the mower and into a second vehicle that was also traveling along the road.

The lawn mower driver was not seriously injured in the accident, save for a few bumps and bruises. Neither of the other drivers were injured. When police arrived on the scene, they allegedly discovered that the lawn mower driver was intoxicated, and arrested him for driving under the influence. It is not known whether or how he will defend his case in court.

Source: Post-Chronicle, "Lexington Man Lawn Mower Drunken Driving - Car Crash Sends Him Flying," Mitch Marconi, August 19, 2011