[bpfirrman]

I am sure most of us like to enjoy a couple cocktails while out on their boats, nothing beats parking in a cove and sucking down a few. Arizona has become increasingly hostile towards any kind of fun related to drinking, it just got much worse for boaters on Friday. The governor just signed into law new boating under the influence laws, first time offenders will now have a MANDATORY 10 CONSECUTIVE DAYS IN JAIL! On top of that our legal limit is .08! The penalty used to be $250 and an alcohol and boater safety class. That last study that came out in 2005 reported that there were 266 total accidents on AZ waterways, 30 of which involved alcohol. There were 5 total deaths and only 2 of those were alcohol related. 11% of all accidents were alcohol related, that seems really low to warrant these extremely strict laws. Here is the link to the 2008 report, even less alcohol related accidents!

http://www.azgfd.gov/outdoor_recreat...ety_Report.pdf

[moondance100]

That is insane. Once again, they can't enforce the laws already out there, so to combat a problem, they just pass more laws. If every person that ever broke any sort of law were caught and prosecuted to the fullest, there'd be more people in jail than out.

[indykoch]

Yeah... I hear you.

Thing is - there's two sides. Maybe the governor lost a loved one to a drunk boater.

I agree with you though... that's harsh. 10 days in jail would completely ruin most people's lives. Most would lose their job, then possibly divorce, kids would obviously be affected, etc.

What good does that do in the end??? I think a strict punishment is warranted, but don't make it ruin someone's chance at learning from the mistake made.

Here in Indiana, boating DUI is the exact same as a car. .08 and whatever the fines, jail time, etc. are for first or repeat offenders. I believe a first timer gets a few hours in the drunk tank, nasty fine, community service, mandatory MADD meeting, etc.

This is a touchy subject. I'd be on the "stricter" side if something ever happened to my family. But right now, I'm on the "lighten up" side since I've probably driven at a time I shouldn't have. I'm a firm believer in trying watch the number of drinks, or have a designated driver, but I also realize it might happen without realizing it.

[z275st]

I am a nondrinker/ nonsmoker but I get so tired of our rights being legislationed away. You cannot now smoke in a bar in IL. Many more deaths are caused by drinking on the roads than on the water. Legislators attack boating because it looks like they are doing something about alcohol while not “offending” the larger group of driving voters! Don’t get me wrong, I think laws should be strict for DUI’s and I feel there should be one responsible in a boat or auto, but leave the rest alone to have fun. Penalties should be the same for boat and auto. Now look, I’ve went to preaching. Just call me Father John.

[bdbyrnes]

There I said it and I feel better.

Brent

[bdbyrnes]

On another note I am no Longhorns/Bears or Cedric Benson fan, but it seems a little ridiculous to drag a boater by their handcuffed wrists and arms after pepper spraying them for 'non-compliance.'

Based on all these experiences our whole family all drinks the same thing on the lake; lemonade and iced tea.

Brent

[mkasch]

We are on an inland lake 11 miles long by 3 miles wide, police show up maybe twice a season. Thats when cell phones come in handy to give the warning to fellow boaters. Now to drive home is a different experience. OUCH

[John Morgan]

My whole family enjoys a little summer fun on the lake. Between us we have four power boats, two party barges, and a sail boat. Ever since I can remember we’ve been spending more time on the water than on land and our season is quite extended here California (which also sports the .08 rule). Now in that time I have seen and heard some pretty crazy things on boats and I’m a big advocate for DD’s but nothing makes my blood boil more than watching or hearing a commercial that makes boating look/sound like a drunks sport!

[Cj7]

Has anyone been to Lake Havasu,or even Lake Mohave here in AZ???? One trip there and you would understand the new law here. 95% of the boats are from Calif.. I think California needs to step up to the plate too, thats where the problem comes from!!!! Just my 2 cents.

[95 z200]

its the same on water as it is on land here in iowa. But I have only seen one person get hauled off for dui. He had to run into a parked boat. So there not real strict here unless you deserve it.