Villagers continue to get behind the wheels of their golf carts while intoxicated, despite clear evidence of the safety risk that it poses for everyone in the community.
A 72-year-old Villages resident was recently popped for driving under the influence of alcohol, Villages-News reports. The man, a Rhode Island native, told cops he had consumed several beers at Sonny’s in Lake Sumter Landing, according to the news outlet.
The man reportedly had been called to pick up an acquaintance involved in an unrelated accident. When he arrived on the scene, responding officers noticed that he appeared to be drunk.
The man “struggled to formulate sentences and appeared to have slurred and slowed speech,” according to a police report. He used the golf cart to balance himself and was
“too intoxicated to stand” when officers attempted to perform a field sobriety test, they said.
Breath tests showed the man’s blood alcohol content was .196, more than twice the legal limit for operating a motor vehicle. He was arrested, charged with DUI, and released from Lake County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
Drunk Golf Carting Kills
Scenes like this are all too common in the Villages. In this case, fortunately, no one was hurt.
A pair of drunk driving golf cart accidents earlier this year highlight the risk of operating a cart while intoxicated.
A 66-year-old Village of Sunset Pointe man had his driver’s license temporarily revoked after a golf cart crash in which his wife was thrown from the vehicle. Cops found what appeared to be an open container of booze in his vehicle.
An 81-year-old Village of Hadley man was charged with DUI following an accident involving two golf carts in late January. The man “did not understand basic questions such as the area code for his phone number,” according to the arrest report.
A person who drives a golf cart while intoxicated in Florida faces the same penalties as drunk drivers in cars, trucks, and other vehicles. The driver is also likely to be found negligent and legally responsible for any injuries caused as a result.
Anyone who is injured in an accident caused by a drunk golf cart operator has the right to seek money damages. That includes compensation for medical bills, property damage and other impacts of the crash. The family members of a person who dies in a drunk golf carting accident can seek similar compensation for wrongful death.
How a Villages Accident Lawyer Can Help You
If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver, whether it is behind the wheel of a golf cart or another vehicle, Villages accident lawyer Tim Babiarz can help you take action against those responsible and get compensation for the harm caused.
Our firm is pleased to represent clients in the Villages and throughout the area, including in Ocala, Leesburg, Lady Lake, Wildwood, Summerfield, and beyond. Call (352) 205-7559 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a Villages accident lawyer.
