A drunken golf cart driver was recently pulled over in the Villages with a lot of booze in his system, and in his vehicle.
Dean Hooks was spotted nodding off behind the wheel of his golf cart when Sumter County police officers stopped him in The Villages at about 7:45 p.m. on a Thursday night, according to WFTV. The 45-year-old man submitted to blood alcohol content tests, which showed that his BAC was more than 0.28 percent. That’s more than three times the legal limit, 0.08 percent.
The officers said they found an open 1.75-liter bottle of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky in the seat next to Hooks. They also noticed four miniature bottles of the liquor.
Hooks was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.
The officers said his eyes were bloodshot and watery and that Hooks seemed disoriented when they approached him. They also said he had a hard time answering simple questions and providing basic information.
State law makes it unlawful to operate a car, golf cart or other motor vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol. Impairment is often gauged by measuring blood alcohol content. A person whose BAC is 0.08 percent or higher is considered impaired under the law. A DUI conviction in Florida can carry significant consequences, including steep fines, possible jail time and the suspension of driving privileges.
Golf Cart Safety Basics
Drunken golf carting is not just a bad idea and a criminal offense. It can also put everyone else on the road at risk.
In addition to refraining from getting behind the wheel while intoxicated, there are a number of basic safety steps that drivers can take to cut down on the risk of an accident. That starts with buckling up. Seat belts are an important safety feature that helps keep people from being thrown from a cart in the event of an accident. They can be easily installed in carts that do not already come with belts.
It is also important to maintain appropriate speeds, signal turns and avoid swerving in and out of traffic. Florida law limits the kinds of roadways on which carts can operate: It is the driver’s responsibility to understand where he or she can and cannot take the cart.
Speak to a Villages Golf Cart Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a golf cart crash, you have the right to seek compensation from those responsible. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and options and chart the approach that best meets your individual needs.
Villages golf cart accident attorney Tim Babiarz has more than two decades of experience representing Villagers injured in golf cart collisions. Our office is conveniently located in The Villages. Our firm is proud to fight for clients in Ocala, Leesburg, Lady Lake, Wildwood, Summerfield and beyond. Call (352) 205-7599 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
