Florida Man Arrested for Operating Excavator While Drunk
Can you operate an excavator under the influence of alcohol? The answer is no. Under Florida law, you are not allowed to operate any “vehicle” while you are under the influence of alcohol. This applies to e-scooters, bicycles, cars, ATVs, boats, and, yes, excavators.
Now, a 62-year-old man faces DUI charges after Flagler County deputies said that he was operating heavy machinery while under the influence. Deputies say that they responded to a scrap yard in Bunnell to reports of a verbal altercation and threats made by a man who was operating an excavator.
According to a social media post made by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, deputies observed the suspect operating heavy machinery while his normal faculties were impaired. The suspect was placed under arrest and charged with DUI.
DUI penalties in Florida
Assuming this is his first DUI charge, the man operating the excavator is looking at all the same penalties he would face if he were operating a typical vehicle under the influence of alcohol. That means that, yes, his driver’s license can be suspended for operating the excavator under the influence of alcohol. In addition, he can face all the typical DUI penalties including:
- A fine of at least $500 and up to $1,000
- A jail sentence of up to 6 months
- Driver’s license suspension for 180 days
- The installation of an ignition interlock device on his vehicle
- Impoundment of any vehicle operated while under the influence
- Monthly reporting probation
- DUI school and a substance abuse course including a psychosocial evaluation
- Substance abuse evaluation and treatment
- DUI probation for up to one year and an order to perform community service for up to 50 hours
I can be arrested for riding a bicycle under the influence of alcohol in Florida?
As stated earlier, Florida makes no distinction between vehicles when it comes to DUI arrests. You can be arrested for riding a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol. Why? Well, those who ride their bikes under the influence of alcohol are considered a danger to themselves and others. This includes pedestrians. You can seriously injure a pedestrian while riding a bike under the influence. So, the State of Florida considers it a crime to do so. In fact, if someone were to die because a cyclist crashed into a pedestrian while the cyclist was under the influence of alcohol, they could be charged with manslaughter.
Every year, there are roughly 800 bicycle accidents in Florida. More than a third of those accidents involve alcohol. Further, one out of every five cyclists who died in a traffic collision had a BAC above the legal limit of .08. Statistically, a BAC of over .08 can increase your chances of being involved in a bike crash by more than 2,000%.
Talk to an Orlando DUI Attorney Today
The experienced Florida DUI defense attorneys at FL DUI Group represent the interests of those who have been charged with various DUI-related offenses. Call our office today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your defense immediately.
Source:
clickorlando.com/news/local/2024/09/13/video-florida-man-faces-dui-charges-after-drunkenly-operating-excavator-deputies-say/
