A humorous and ostensibly harmless trend among some Florida motorcycle riders has also shown a troublesome and negligent side. Recently, law enforcement officials have caught a number of Florida riders operating their bikes without any clothes on. Naked motorcycle riding might present a hazard for distracted drivers, but in some cases these riders are operating their bikes under the influence of alcohol and that is a far greater concern. According to Ocala police, the first incident occurred in mid-September when an officer pulled over a drunken rider.
The police say they noticed the naked rider early one morning on I-75 and pulled him over for running a red light. The 45-year-old rider admitted that he had been drinking and a breathalyzer returned blood alcohol levels of .178 and .162-both dangerously over Florida’s legal limit of 0.08. The naked rider told police he had been drinking at a local restaurant. Police found a shirt and shawl hanging around the motorcycle’s handlebars and requested that the rider wear them. Records indicated that this drunken driving conviction was the rider’s fifth offense.
In a related incident two days later, the Florida Highway Patrol arrested another motorcyclist riding his blue Honda on I95 in Flagler County without any clothes on. FHP officers claimed that the 45-year-old rider was performing a sexual act while riding and intentionally exposed himself to a woman driving a tractor-trailer and her passenger, her 11-year-old son. The man was not charged with driving under the influence, but faces charges of lascivious exhibition and indecent exposure.
Although some aspects of these stories may be humorous, there is nothing amusing about people operating any kind of vehicle under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. In 2006, 1111 people were killed in alcohol-related accidents and thousands more were injured. Drunk driving is exceptionally egregious because it is entirely preventable. People who drink and drive know that their behavior is illegal and negligent but do it anyway and endanger the lives of others.
If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed in an accident caused by a drunken driver, Orlando drunk driving accident attorney James O. Cunningham may be able to help. Since 1977, he has helped victims receive the compensation they deserve. Schedule a free consultation with Orlando drunk driving accident lawyer James O. Cunningham by calling the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham today.
James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a vehicle accident, call toll-free at 1-888-FLA-Auto (1-888-352-2886).
Verdicts & Settlements
- Rear End Car Accident:
$3.75 Million Recovery - Semi-Truck Accident:
$1.5 Million Recovery - Van Rollover:
$1.2 Million Wrongful Death Recovery - Rear End Bus Accident:
$775,000.00 Recovery - Truck Collides with Cow:
$500,000.00 Recovery