A gold cart is a vehicle under California law, so driving one while drunk could result in DUI charges.
In California, we are lucky to enjoy mild weather throughout the year, enabling many Californians to take advantage of our many wonderful golf courses in the winter months. In many cases, a round of golf with friends includes a few alcoholic beverages along the way — which could lead to legal consequences.
Even though many golf courses are on private property, driving a golf cart while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can result in DUI charges. That is because a golf cart is considered a vehicle under California law, which means that you can actually be arrested after a day on the golf course for operating the golf cart while under the influence. If you have been charged with a DUI for driving a golf cart while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, contact a DUI lawyer in Tustin, CA today.
California DUI Law Applies to Golf Carts
Under California law, it is illegal to drive a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs above the legal limit of .08 percent blood alcohol content (BAC). For some drivers, this limit is even lower, such as those who are under age 21, on DUI probation or driving a commercial vehicle.
It may seem as though this law shouldn’t be applied to golf carts, as they are typically only driven on the courses themselves — not on public highways. But under California Vehicle Code Section 670, a vehicle is “a device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved or drawn upon a highway, excepting a device moved exclusively by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.” Because a golf cart can be used to move people or property on a highway, it counts as a vehicle under California law — even if you aren’t actually on a street or highway when you are arrested.
As a practical matter, it is probably unlikely that the police will come onto a private golf course to arrest a person for operating a golf cart under the influence. However, it is still entirely possible to be arrested for DUI when driving a golf cart. For example, if your drinking is excessive, someone at the course could call the police to report you for driving the cart while drunk. If the course is public, then the police could patrol it, or simply spot erratic driving while passing through the course. And if your drunken driving of a golf cart leads to an accident, then the investigation into the incident may result in criminal charges if the police find that you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs while driving the cart.
The smart move is to only drive a golf cart if you are sober, or significantly limit your alcohol consumption if you’re the driver of the cart on that day. While golf carts are significantly smaller than most other vehicles, they still have the potential to seriously injure or even kill someone, making it important to operate one only when sober.
If you have been charged with a DUI while driving a golf cart, you will need a skilled DUI lawyer. In Tustin, CA, contact the Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com. We have years of experience defending Californians from unjust DUI charges, and utilize every possible factual and legal defense to protect your legal rights. Initial consultations are always free!
