Although it’s often referred to as the 19th hole, the clubhouse bar is often visited by golfers before their round on the links. Sometimes golfers take with them on the course a mini-cooler with alcoholic refreshments even though courses prohibit it. Golfers should be aware that doing either can lead to a California DUI charge should they hop into the motorized golf cart.
Just ask Jefferey Rose, 35 from La Quinta, California.
According to the Sheriff’s Department, Rose was driving his golf cart on Sunday, January 19th at the La Quinta Resort/PGA West Clubhouse when he crashed causing his passenger to fall out.
“The investigation revealed that an intoxicated passenger on the golf cart fell out while the golf cart was in motion,” said sheriff’s Sgt. Jessica Vanderhoof. “The passenger was taken to a local hospital as a precaution. Further investigation revealed that the driver of the golf cart was intoxicated as well.”
Rose was subsequently arrested on suspicion of a California DUI. He was booked into the Riverside County Jail in Indio and released the following day after posting a $2,500 bail.
Rose’s situation begs the question: Can a person be arrested for a DUI in California on a golf cart?
Unfortunately, the answer is yes.
Although California DUI law requires that a person drive a “vehicle,” California Vehicle Code Section 670 defines a “vehicle” as “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.”
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