Boaters should note new, lower alcohol limit

By Ashley Vasquez

Boaters in Missouri should take note of how much alcohol they consume on Missouri waterways.

Gov. Matt Blunt signed new legislation, House Bill 1715, on July 3 that changes the legal blood-alcohol limit for operating any vehicle on a waterway from 0.1 percent to 0.08 percent. This is the same as the legal limit for driving a vehicle.

Additionally, the law allows for someone involved in a boating accident that results in a death who is over the legal blood-alcohol limit to be charged with involuntary manslaughter. The new law takes affect Thursday, Aug. 28.

“Missouri’s lakes and rivers should be safe for all who use them,” said Blunt in a press release. “The same standard that applies to our roads and highways should apply to our lakes and rivers. I am pleased to sign this legislation strengthening water safety laws and continuing to protect those who use our state’s waters for commerce and recreation.”

Missouri State Water Patrol information officer for Smithville Lake Kim Davis said she was pleased with the new law and said it will make the lake safer.

“This is something we have wanted to see happen for a long time,” she said. “The legal limit to drive a boat should be the same as the legal limit to drive a car.”

Davis said the previous law made waterways dangerous.

She said she thought a blood-alcohol limit of 0.1 was too high, adding that a level of 0.08 percent “is legally intoxicated to drive a car, and a boat is no different.”

She also said having the legal limit consistent on the water and on the road will help avoid confusion.

“We have checked people that were below the legal limit for the water but above it to drive their cars and leave,” Davis said. “It is difficult to explain to them that they are fine where they are but can’t leave in their cars.”

Despite the law not going into effect until the end of August, Davis said the water patrol is still conducting sobriety checkpoints at the lake and throughout the state.

“We are out there checking,” she said. “We know it is an inconvenience for many people but it is something we have to watch out for to keep everyone safe.”

House Bill 1715 Provisions:

- The law further explains definitions for driving while intoxicated offenses such as “persistent,” “prior” and “chronic.” Offenders with these classifications for previous offenses cannot receive suspended imposition of sentences. 

- The new law also requires that all boaters idle their vehicles if they are within 100 feet of an emergency vehicle, and they must move aside when emergency vehicles have their lights on. 

- It also establishes a nighttime boating speed limit of 30 mph on all Missouri waterways.

Source: Missouri State Water Patrol

Smithville Editor Ashley Vasquez can be reached at 532-4444 or ashleyvasquez@npgco.com.