Ever Been Stopped By Police While Driving Your Tractor? I Have..

[carpenter383]

Never had it happen to me, but here is a related sort of story.

In our area (small town surrounded by rural area) there was a late-middle-aged man who would mow yards in the area using his riding mower. He lived maybe a couple miles outside of town on what everyone called "old 46", so he would just ride the mower in to town for his mowing duties. "Old 46" was previously State Road 46 until a new highway was built. It then became a county road.

Well, "Brownie", as everyone called him, used to like to stop in at one of the local bars after a hard day of mowing. Generally he skipped lunch when he was mowing, so the beers he drank were going into an empty stomach. Add to this that this was a hot day, and Brownie was pretty tired before his stop at the bar.

After a few brews he hopped on his rider and started home.

Can you see where this is leading?

Sure enough, ole Brownie got pulled over for driving his mower left of center on old 46. Soon as the cop approached him, the cop knew sure as anything that there had been some alcohol involved.

He was the only guy I've ever known to get a drunk driving citation on a riding mower.

You must be near me because I know where old 46 is, never heard that story though, thanks for sharing:laughing:

 

[crazyal]

I have a funny story about being pulled over while driving a tractor. I was driving my international 1066 pulling a fully loaded hay wagon down rt 31 which is a state highway that my farm is on. The state police had set up a seat belt check where they stop traffic and check every vehicle. Well, when i was up to the check point the cops had a fit that i didn't have a seat belt. The couldn't believe that the tractor didn't have one. The whole time i thought to myself in gona take you to court if you give me a ticket. Amazingly i didn't get a ticket although i thought i was going to get one because of the way the cop was acting.

Had something very similar happen to me. I was driving my old IH loadstar and came across a safety check. When I told the young officer that way back when trucks didn't have seat belts and how could I wear something that was never installed. He didn't believe me and when a more experienced officer came over he chuckled a little and said "have a nice day". I'm guessing he didn't want to give the younger officer an education in front of me.

 

[Ridgewalker]

It's happened more than once...

YouTube - Steves Riding Lawn Mower DUI Taser Arrest Video 2

Never had it happen to me, but here is a related sort of story.

In our area (small town surrounded by rural area) there was a late-middle-aged man who would mow yards in the area using his riding mower. He lived maybe a couple miles outside of town on what everyone called "old 46", so he would just ride the mower in to town for his mowing duties. "Old 46" was previously State Road 46 until a new highway was built. It then became a county road.

Well, "Brownie", as everyone called him, used to like to stop in at one of the local bars after a hard day of mowing. Generally he skipped lunch when he was mowing, so the beers he drank were going into an empty stomach. Add to this that this was a hot day, and Brownie was pretty tired before his stop at the bar.

After a few brews he hopped on his rider and started home.

Can you see where this is leading?

Sure enough, ole Brownie got pulled over for driving his mower left of center on old 46. Soon as the cop approached him, the cop knew sure as anything that there had been some alcohol involved.

He was the only guy I've ever known to get a drunk driving citation on a riding mower.

 

[Nissan197]

The officer must have been a rookie.....

 

[kymedic69]

A few years back I was a volunteer deputy and we arrested the same guy for DUI on a lawnmower 3 times, and a moped twice.

 

[marimus]

We had a fellow get done for DUI riding his horse. :laughing:

 

[CurlyDave]

I bet I am the only one on TBN who has been arrested for driving nails on a Sunday...

 

[killdozerd11]

Here in the Peoples Republic of California they have ag tractor laws and construction equipment laws :confused2:

If they write you a ticket for a piece of construction equipment on the road you have to have an SE plate...Special Equipment...More money for the state :drool:

Then if you are using red fuel you will get an additional ticket
Then the state tax people get involved :confused2:

Seen it happen to other people but never heard the out come

 

[BigE_]

Never had it happen to me, but here is a related sort of story.
He was the only guy I've ever known to get a drunk driving citation on a riding mower.

When I was in college the local college paper would post all the police reports involving students. I guess it was supposed to be a deterrent getting your name in the paper in the police report. Most of the students were quite proud of the fact, but I digress.

Anyway, it seems a couple of college kids were having a grand time at a party, and rather than driving, they hoofed it home. Apparently, they were having a good time on the way home as well, making a bunch of noise and whatnot.

Somewhere along the way they found a shopping cart, and of course, one of them got in while the other pushed.

Well, as any kid knows, if you are pushing your friend on a shopping cart and you get going, you can jump on the back and get a ride as well.

Yep, they got pulled over and ticket for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

 

[The Haymaker]

And then there's those that get away with it.

 

[Thomas]

CurlyDave.
"I bet I am the only one on TBN who has been arrested for driving nails on a Sunday..."

Sooo you have noise pollution law..what they call it here.. also CD...I've been warn.

 

[WayneB]

Here in Live Free or Die (New Hampshire), we are required to have a state plate on the tractor and also a slow moving vehicle plate. That is unless the town needs us for a parade then it is okay....right Thomas!

We use to pride ourselves with having more tractors than people in town, but I think the humans caught up?

 

[JoelD]

I've driven on fairly congested roads, with trailer in tow with triangle on trailer.

Number of polic officers drove by and waived.

I've never had a problem driving on the road, I do pull over often to let cars pass though. I hate to have them stuck behind me.

I was driving back and forth to our town festival to give hay rides, that may have contributed to the police being perfectly happy to let me drive along.

I also called ahead to the police station and let them know what I'd be up to.

I think communication with the police goes a long way. They just want to see everyone get along in a safe manner.

Joel

 

[SensibleNick]

This guy might get pulled one day

YouTube - Fastest Vintage tractor in Rush

 

[Thomas]

SN.
Something just wrong about that..looks like fun tho.

 

[Redneck in training]

There was a story several years back in Iowa. Guy lost his DL due to his age or related issues. Since he couldn't drive a car to see his brother he hopped on his old JD mower and drove several hundred miles (I think) and became local celebrity for a while. If I remember it right JD gave him brand new mower after that.

 

[Bedlam]

That John deer vid is just plain stupid Imagine the axle gears after...And when the cars were coming the other way...Geeze.. What were they drinkin?
Oh question at 5;52 was that a cop car that went by?Yep just when they are turning around.

 

[Stargazer]

Here you go

MAN WHO MADE SOLO LAWN MOWER JOURNEY DIES AT 76. - Free Online Library

 

[Soundguy]

I'd be at the next city/county council meeting to protest the harassment.

I'd also write a bunch of letters.. find the appropriate controlling official that you elected and complain loudly and often.

IE.. city official for a city cop.. and county official for a county cop.

if you were running a smv plaque, in your lane, not exceeding 25mph.. you were likely 100% legal.. heck.. it's a farm to market road.. it's menat to have farm equipment on it!!

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

Hey, ordinary drivers get mad, too. I have had several folks pull up beside me and give the one finger happy birthday salute. Any of you guys get that, too?

When I used to drive my 30ish hp cut sized tractors on the road, I got a couple people telling me I was #1.. but hasn't happend since i only drive my ford 5000 or 7610s on the road now.. probably because I'm setting a few feet over their head for the average car or small to mid size pickup truck..

soundguy