Do you feel that drinking and driving a moped is safe?
I thought this was a question with an easy answer: No way!
However, it seems that the state of South Carolina saw things a little differently…
The state law, at this time, does not require moped drivers to have a drivers license and considers mopeds exempt from motor-vehicle laws and regulations because they are currently classified as “having a motor of less than 50-cubic centimeters and not capable of going faster than 30 miles per hour.”
Because of this classification, moped drivers were also exempt from DUI laws as recently as this past Wednesday. However, the state Senate passed a bill on February 14, 2012 that says moped drivers will NOT be exempt from state drunken-driving laws.
Before the passing of this bill, some South Carolina magistrates were throwing out cases because the drunk driver was on a moped.
One state Senator has said “I don’t think you should operate a moped drunk. But what are you going to do, suspend their license? You don’t need a license to drive a moped.”
As a personal injury lawyer for George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers, I have handled DUI accidents and fatalities far more than that of a comforting number. It’s an utter tragedy and makes me toss and turn at night (especially when underway with a DUI case).
To think that up until this week drunk moped drivers had the luxury of cruising the South Carolina roadways while drinking – with little to no repercussions – angers me. At our firm, we fight for justice for the victims of DUI tragedies, and it infuriated me to know that a loophole such as this existed in our state.
If you or a loved one is ever in a DUI automobile accident, we’ll be there to help you. It can be one of the most emotionally and physically draining times of your life. We will stand by you, to help get you the justice and compensation you deserve, by holding the drunk driver responsible for their careless actions.
Let’s keep our South Carolina roadways as safe as possible and stay away from the driver seat of any type of vehicle while under the influence.
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