You are not allowed to drink and boat in any of the 50 states in the United States. Not drinking while boating is very important because more than half of all boating accidents are the result of drinking while boating. As a result, there are serious and large penalties for making this decision, including fines and imprisonment. You may also have your boat operator license revoked.
Effects of Inebriation
Those driving boats are more likely to become impaired compared with those who drive a car while intoxicated. Being under the influence affects judgement, coordination, vision, and balance. All of these can interfere with the ability of a boater to operate the boat successfully.
The motion, vibration, engine noise, and several other factors cause the drinker to become more impaired. All of this can lead to the driver becoming more fatigued. Boaters are also more in danger when drinking because they are often less experienced on their boats than they are in a car.
You might think that boating while intoxicated is not as dangerous because there is less to collide with, but those who don't operate a boat safely can still collide with watercraft and you may also tilt your boat over.
Inebriation also increases the risk of the operator drowning and contracting hypothermia since the consumption of alcohol makes it more difficult for someone to determine if they are warm or cold. Alcohol can also make it more difficult for an individual to know which way is up and down.
You May Lose Driving Privileges
Not only can a DUI lead to you losing your boating privileges, but it may also lead to you losing your driving privileges. You do not even need a driver's license to operate a boat in some states, but you may be prevented from obtaining a driver's license in the future.
Contact an Attorney
If you were responsible for a boating accident or if you were found to be drinking while boating, make sure to contact a DUI attorney who has experience in this area of law. An attorney will be able to advise you of your options, whether you may have your charges dismissed, and whether you may be able to plead down to a lesser charge. You may be able to defend yourself if the stop was illegal or if there was a lack of probable cause. There may also have been a false positive with your sobriety test.
Share27 April 2019
Although I am far from perfect, I have focused on abiding by the local laws for the vast majority of my life. Unfortunately, about five years ago, I realized that I was being accused of a crime that I didn't commit. I thought about letting the trial run its course, but then I realized that fighting would be important to ensure my future. I teamed up with a great lawyer, and things became much easier overnight. My legal counsel told me what to do and what to avoid, and he was able to prove the facts in a court of law. This blog is all about choosing to fight charges.