Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Alcohol and Drugs
Idaho law prohibits anyone from operating or being in actual physical
control of any vessel while under the influence of alcohol, drugs,
or other intoxicating substances. Alcohol and drugs cause impaired
balance, blurred vision, poor coordination, impaired judgment,
and slower reaction times. Alcohol contributes to about one-third
of all fatal boating accidents nationwide. Read
more about the effects and risks of consuming alcohol.
Idaho law states that a person is considered to be “under
the influence” if:
- He or she is 21 years of age or older and has a blood alcohol
concentration of 0.08% or higher or …
- He or she is under 21 years of age and has a blood alcohol
concentration of 0.02% or higher.
Idaho law establishes the following penalties.
- Those convicted of operating under the influence of alcohol
or drugs may:
- Receive a maximum fine of $1,000 and/or a sentence of
six months in the county jail and …
- Be required to attend and successfully complete a course
on safe
boating and …
- Lose their privileges to operate a vessel for up to two
years.
- Any person causing great bodily harm, permanent disability,
or permanent disfigurement to any person other than himself or
herself while operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs
is guilty of a felony and will:
- Be sentenced to the State Board of Corrections for up
to five years, with a minimum sentence of 30 days and …
- Be fined up to $5,000 and …
- Have his or her privileges to operate a vessel suspended
for a minimum of one year, not to exceed two years, after
release from prison.
By operating a vessel on Idaho waters, you have consented to
be tested for the presence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating
substances if requested by a peace officer. Any person refusing
to submit to testing for the presence of alcohol, drugs, or other
intoxicating substances will be assessed a civil penalty of $200.
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Areas of Impairment Due to Blood Alcohol
Concentration (BAC)
Because you can drink faster than your system can burn
off the alcohol, there is an increasing level of alcohol in your blood.
This level is referred to as Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). |
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