Man Charged with Impaired Driving when Caught on Lawnmower with Child on Lap

May 08, 2017, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Police would like to remind people that impaired driving charges will be laid against anyone driving any motorized vehicle on a public road while intoxicated. This includes riding lawnmowers.

Police in Winkler Manitoba recently charged a man who was seen driving his riding lawnmower down the street. He cam to their attention after getting an anonymous complaint about a man weaving down the street on a lawnmower with a young child sitting on his lap. Police indicate that while this is a rare example of impaired driving, it is considered a criminal offence to drive any vehicle that is motorized while under the influence. This gentleman was caught by police on the sidewalk.

He wold officers that he was coming home from the bar. He had been seen throwing a beer onto the ground before he was stopped, and three more cans were found on the mower. He had difficulty standing and speaking. Police were particularly concerned wince the man had a child with him on the vehicle. He was arrested at the scene and charged with impaired driving, driving while disqualified, and with the unlawful transportation of alcohol. His wife picked him up from the station.

If you have been drinking you should avoid driving any motorized vehicle. This includes electric bikes, mopeds, cars, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and other ATV like vehicles. Impaired driving charges will carry fines, points, insurance and may have implications on your career and future travel.

You can read about all of the impaired driving penalties on the MTO website. Even if you are not over 0.08% BAC, or you fail a field sobriety test you will face the following penalties:

1. First time:
   1. 3-day roadside suspension
   2. $198 administrative penalty
2. Second time (within 5 years)
   1. 7-day roadside suspension
   2. Mandatory education
   3. $198 administrative penalty
3. Third and subsequent times (within 5 years)
   1. 30 roadside suspension
   2. Mandatory treatment
   3. 6-month interlock
   4. $198 administrative penalty

If you are convicted of Impaired driving you face the following penalties:

1. First time:
   1. Mandatory education/treatment
   2. 1-year minimum requirement to drive with ignition interlock
   3. No minimum jail sentence
   4. $1000 fine
   5. 1-year licence suspension
2. Second time:
   1. Mandatory education/treatment
   2. 3-year minimum requirement to drive with ignition interlock
   3. 30-day minimum jail sentence
   4. Discretionary fine
   5. Minimum 3-year licence suspension
3. Third and Subsequent times
   1. Mandatory education or treatment
   2. Variable interlock periods
   3. 120 days minimum jail time
   4. Discretionary fine amount
   5. Lifetime suspension of licence

Any towing costs, costs of education/treatment programmes, impound fees and ignition interlock fees are also the responsibility of the driver. Note your insurance will climb with each offence.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

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