Drinking alcohol while driving a boat is considered to be dangerous for obvious reasons. Someone operating a boat with a blood-alcohol content over .10 percent is ten times more likely to die in a boating accident than someone who is driving a boat sober, according to FindLaw's Insider Blog. FindLaw's Insider Blog also reports that half of all boating accidents involve the use of alcohol or other drugs. This is why the state of Arizona chooses to crack down on those who drive watercrafts under the influence.
While many people are aware of the consequences of DUI, few people in Arizona are aware that there are penalties associated with Operating Under the Influence, also known as OUI.
In Arizona, the OUI laws are similar to the state laws of driving under the influence. Penalties of an OUI can include large fines, suspension or revocation of boat operator privileges, and even jail time. Just like the state's driving laws, the BAC level for which a boater is considered to be intoxicated in Arizona is .08 percent. There is a zero-tolerance rule for minors. Article 5-395.03 of the State Legislature states that if a law enforcement officer has reasonable suspicion to believe that a person is boating under the influence, then the officer can submit the boater to a Breathalyzer test.
So it might be best to designate a sober boat operator when you're on a canoe, rowboat, or personal watercraft. If you've been arrested on suspicion of an Arizona OUI, don't hesitate to call an Arizona DUI attorney; who has extensive knowledge of DUI and OUI laws.
Related Resources:
- Boating Under the Influence: FAQs (FindLaw)
- Boating Under the Influence - BUI (FindLaw)
- Arizona DUI Attorney Directory (FindLaw)
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