A New Zealand man has been charged with driving a lawnmower while drunk, police said on Tuesday.
Richard Gunn (52) was driving the lawnmower down a street in the northern New Zealand town of Dargaville late on Monday evening when police stopped him, police spokesperson Sarah Kennett said.
Gunn’s breath alcohol level was at more than twice the legal limit for drivers, police said, and he previously had lost his driver’s licence.
Gunn said he had been using the lawnmower to get around town since losing his licence.
”I thought I was safe,” he told TV One News. Even bicycles went faster than the lawnmower’s 8km/h, he said. ”I’ve watched them go past me.”
Gunn was scheduled to appear in court later this week on charges of careless driving, driving while disqualified and driving with excess breath alcohol. He faces a potential prison term if convicted.
Police impounded the lawnmower for 28 days. — Sapa-AP