12 months loss of licence & $500 for drunk driving

[McWild]

... a 5.5kw childrens go-kart at an empty private estate, in the middle of the night, and knocking over a mate.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-tim...s-gokart-crash

The judge said the man's actions were irresponsible and no different from a person driving while drinking on a quiet rural road at night.

Irresponsible? I guess. That second bit? Lets get some perspective.



*Note this wasn't me.

[oldrider]

FFS! -

[Paulo]

FFS indeed! the guy's wearing safety glasses in the photo, He can't be that irresponsible.

In other crime related news I see they let that crook from the finance company (who lost the life savings of hundreds of elderly folks) out of jail early, He's going to continue with his new found love of gardening on a private estate (probably still actually his but put into trust or something).... sigh.

[Banditbandit]

they decided to do time trials around the surrounding road on a privately-owned go-kart.

The victim suffered bruising to his leg, a cut to his head that required stitches and concussion. He required a night's hospital stay.

He was drunk ... he was driving ... he was on a public road ... he injured his mate ... he got fined and suspended .. as he should ..

If he was using an actual car and did not get convicted, fined and suspended you'd all be screaming about that ...

[HenryDorsetCase]

I like kittens

[Banditbandit]

I like kittens

This thread deserved that ...

[TheDemonLord]

He was drunk ... he was driving ... he was on a public road ... he injured his mate ... he got fined and suspended .. as he should ..

If he was using an actual car and did not get convicted, fined and suspended you'd all be screaming about that ...

I too agree partially with this sentiment - Drink Driving is a serious issue in this country and taken far to casually by the population.

However - I also see the arguement that it was a childs go kart and not an actual 'Vehicle' (say one that was registered as a road going vehicle) and I also see the argument that while his mate was injured - who here hasn't had a nasty bruise and a concussion for playing silly buggers after a couple?

[Katman]

I like kittens

You would have loved me when I was little.

[Moi]

He was drunk ... he was driving ... he was on a public road ... he injured his mate ... he got fined and suspended .. as he should ..

If he was using an actual car and did not get convicted, fined and suspended you'd all be screaming about that ...

I am not trying to excuse his actions in any way. However, I find the reporting to be less than complete...

Was it a "public road"? The media report leaves that open to question:

Armiger had been drinking with three friends at a unit attached to the Highlands Motorsport Park in Central Otago on January 31 when they decided to do time trials around the surrounding road on a privately-owned go-kart.

They were the only people in the restricted area as the other units were in the process of being constructed or were empty.

** around the surrounding road ** Have google mapped Highlands Motorsport Park and both the map and Earth view do not indicate where these units are and so what road was used.

** restricted area ** if the area is restricted and the public are not able to access the area, is the road still a public road?

If anyone can throw some light on which road was being used and it's position relative to the units then we all might have a better idea of where it all happened.

[Tazz]

What would have happened if he didn't have a 'license' I wonder.

[scumdog]

I too agree partially with this sentiment - Drink Driving is a serious issue in this country and taken far to casually by the population.

However - I also see the arguement that it was a childs go kart and not an actual 'Vehicle'

Yeah, being hit by a go-kart always hurts less than being hit by a car...

[FJRider]

I am not trying to excuse his actions in any way. However, I find the reporting to be less than complete...

Was it a "public road"? The media report leaves that open to question:

Where Public could have access ... On private property (or not) if the gates are closed (but not locked) .. public could have access.

Armiger had been drinking with three friends at a unit attached to the Highlands Motorsport Park in Central Otago on January 31 when they decided to do time trials around the surrounding road on a privately-owned go-kart.

The ownership of the vehicle is in question now .. WHY .. ??? privately owned vehicles cannot be driven "whilst under the influence" ...

They were the only people in the restricted area as the other units were in the process of being constructed or were empty.

But he DID manage to run into a person HE KNEW WAS THERE ...

** around the surrounding road ** Have google mapped Highlands Motorsport Park and both the map and Earth view do not indicate where these units are and so what road was used.

Google maps is about 9 years behind actual ... look again in about six years ...

** restricted area ** if the area is restricted and the public are not able to access the area, is the road still a public road?

Drink driving is NOT restricted to just PUBLIC ROADS ...

If anyone can throw some light on which road was being used and it's position relative to the units then we all might have a better idea of where it all happened.

Near the Highlands Motorsport track ...

[FJRider]

What would have happened if he didn't have a 'license' I wonder.

You can still be charged with drink driving offences ... even if you do not have a drivers license ...

[Oakie]

Interesting.
Given that the go-cart probably can't be registered for the road(?) and you don't need a licence to drive one(?) how can you take his car licence away? He just happened to use the cart on a road. If he were drunk on a horse on the road (horse can't be registered, no licence required), would he lose his drivers licence?

It's a bit like losing your fishing licence for throwing a stone at a duck on a pond.

[HenryDorsetCase]

You would have loved me when I was little.

I love you now.