N.J. judge: No such thing as Zamboni DWI

[LynneSin]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070403/ap_on_fe_st/zamboni_dwi_1

.J. judge: No such thing as Zamboni DWI Tue Apr 3, 10:35 AM ET



NEWARK, N.J. - It's not drunken driving in New Jersey if it involves a Zamboni.

A judge ruled the four-ton ice rink-grooming machines aren't motor vehicles because they aren't useable on highways and can't carry passengers.

Zamboni operator John Peragallo had been charged with drunken driving in 2005 after a fellow employee at the Mennen Sports Arena in Morristown told police the machine was speeding and nearly crashed into the boards.

Police said Peragallo's blood alcohol level was 0.12 percent. A level of 0.08 is considered legally drunk in New Jersey.

Peragallo appealed, and Superior Court Judge Joseph Falcone on Monday overturned his license revocation and penalties.

"It's a vindication for my client," Peragallo attorney James Porfido said after the hearing. "It's the right decision."

Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Joseph D'Onofrio said no decision had been made on whether to appeal.

Peragallo, 64, testified at his trial that he did drink beer and vodka, but not until after he had groomed the ice. However, he told police he had a shot of Sambuca with his breakfast coffee and two Valium-pills before work.

[KG]

1. well, i feel safer on the streets now...

[Deep13]

2. *snarf*

:spray: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Mothers Against Drunk Rink Resurfacers.

[Forkboy]

3. Anyone who drinks on a zamboni is my kinda guy!

:thumbsup:

[idgiehkt]

4. what a relief

:rofl:

[LynneSin]

5. Seriously - I'm gonna take my Zamboni out tonight and really tie one on

I mean, New Jersey is only right over the bridge - I'll hang out at Friendly's Tavern

[Squatch]

6. Heh, heh, heh...He said BONE

[PittPoliSci]

7. maybe this is just me but doesn't .08% seem a bit low?

isn't that like two beers? i don't mean any offense to anyone who's lost a loved one in a DUI incident, but i've always felt that to be a bit low.

[SteppingRazor]

11. .08 is ridiculously, stupidly low...

there are matters of tolerance to consider — some people may not function well at .08 BAC — but generally speaking, .08's a light buzz, not drunk. But it's also, as you pointed out, two drinks in an hour, which is about the amount of drinks and time length of a typical dinner out at a restaurant, which means more DUIs for the law-enforcement industry and the various subindustries that suck off its teat.

Hell, nanny-state organizations and their cohorts in law enforcement have even tried to go lower — they lobbied for .02 in some states a few years ago, until it was pointed out that people could go to jail for taking cough syrup.

[LynneSin]

12. Many states, like Delaware, have 'buzzed driving' laws

They'll nail you in DE even if you've had a drink and are driving a bit funny

[SteppingRazor]

13. Absolutely. Gotta feed the beast. There's money to be made...

regardless of the lives that are destroyed.

Study after study has shown that people who are pulled over for swerving, reckless driving, asleep at the wheel, and other obvious signs of drunken driving blow a .15 or above. Additionally, the vast majority of alcohol-related fatalities involve someone with a .15 or above (and that's according to the prohibitionists over at MADD). We could limit the definition of drunken driving to .12 and above and still be safe. Naturally, laws could be put on the books providing harsh penalties for destruction of property, vehicular manslaughter, etc., even with a .08 BAC, which would still punish those who damage the life or property of others while avoiding wholesale sellout to the correctional industry.

[InternalDialogue]

8. Not to get gross, but...

at least he would have been able to clean up after himself if he'd have tossed his cookies.

Good on ya, Zamboni driver! Thinking of the big picture!

:thumbsup:

[SteppingRazor]

9. YES!!!

I'm moving to New Jersey and starting a second career as a Zamboni operator

[LynneSin]

10. I'm gonna drive a Zamboni to Haruka & LostinVa's wedding

:woohoo:

[jmowreader]

14. How do you SPEED in a Zamboni?

Zambonis go what, three miles an hour?

[Crabby Appleton]

15. Here you go, used Zamboni on eBay, cheap

used Zamboni

[LynneSin]

16. I wonder what kind of gas mileage that baby gets

:shrug:

[name not needed]

17. Who fucking cares, it's a Zamboni.