Video: Missouri Boating While Intoxicated

Rob

All right, let’s talk actually about boating while under the influence. I think people sometimes don’t realize that it’s a lot like cars. You can’t drive a car and be intoxicated, and you can’t drive a boat while intoxicated. Can you shed some light on the laws and the consequences?

Officer Mueller

Boating while intoxicated is something that we take very seriously here in Missouri. It’s illegal for you to be over the legal limit on the water, which is 0.08%. That’s the same that is on the land and you’re driving a vehicle.

Rob

So I think people are fairly attuned to the fact that they cannot drink and operate a vehicle on the road, but sometimes people don’t realize or don’t even know that it’s the same thing when you’re driving a boat. Right? So can you tell us a little bit about the consequences?

Officer Mueller

They are similar. You’re going to be arrested if you’re found to be boating while intoxicated—you’re going to be taken to jail. And if found guilty of the charge of boating while intoxicated, you’ll be charged with a misdemeanor, and then you’ll actually have to complete a boater education course prior to being able to boat again.

Rob

I guess some people probably think that, you know, the consequence, you know, of getting into a crash is maybe not as bad on the water. But what would you say to that?

Officer Mueller

People see boating as a recreational activity and that they should be able to partake in those type of beverages while out on the water. The crashes that we see out here on the water are very similar or worse than those that are on the land. The boats oftentimes will carry more people, and the crashes that we’re seeing out here on the water are usually involving serious injury or death.

Rob

Take a message—don’t drink and operate a boat. Right?

Officer Mueller

Correct.

Rob

Awesome. Thanks.