Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Alcohol and Drugs
Oklahoma 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 is a major contributor to boating accidents and fatalities. Read
more about the effects and risks of consuming alcohol in Chapter
5.
Oklahoma law states that a person is considered to be “under
the influence” if he or she:
- Has an alcohol concentration of 0.10% or higher as measured
in the person’s breath or blood or …
- Is under the influence of any other intoxicating substance
to a degree which makes him or her incapable of safely operating
the vessel or …
- Is under the influence of alcohol and any other intoxicating
substance to a degree which makes him or her incapable of safely
operating the vessel.
Oklahoma law establishes the following penalties.
- On a first conviction of operating under the influence of alcohol
or drugs, the violator will receive a fine of up to $1,000.
- On a subsequent conviction of operating under the influence
of alcohol or drugs, the violator will receive a fine of up to
$2,500 and not less than $1,000.
By operating a vessel on Oklahoma waters, you have consented to
be tested for the presence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating
substances if requested by a peace officer. Failure to submit to
testing for the presence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating
substances will be admissible as evidence in trial.
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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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