Statutory Summary Suspensions-Private Property
Many drivers do not know that you can get a DUI driving a lawn tractor on your own property while intoxicated. This is because Illinois law says that operating a "motor vehicle" anywhere in the state can result in a DUI. The definition of motor vehicle covers the lawn mower, golf cart, etc. And, if your lawn is in Illinois the law applies.
The interesting thing is that statutory suspension law doesn't apply anywhere but "highways." So you can't have your driver's license suspended for mowing your lawn under the influence or MUI, (I couldn't help myself on that one.)
The law has been expanded by the courts interpretation of highway. Now highway means any parking lot, access road, or publically maintained road. The courts have cut one exception into this definition of highway, and that exception works like this: You can't be suspended if there is no evidence that you ever drove on the highway, for example, crashed the car in the ditch on the way OUT of the bar parking lot. I know that its confusing but with our legislators and judges we're damn lucky its in complete sentences.
Short test: So if your DUI and driving INTO a bar parking lot can you be suspended. Answer, Yes.
Ray Flavin
