With many people out on the lake this time of year enjoying the summer season so are law enforcement. North Carolina currently ranks 7th for boating fatalities and 9th for boating accidents in the United States. Law enforcement agencies have taken notice of this problem and are stepping up enforcement on North Carolina waters. One big concern of law enforcement is finding people who may be operating a boat under the influence (BUI). A BUI is similar to a DWI and can have lasting consequences if you are charged and convicted.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is heading a campaign to detect and stop as many people from boating under the influence as possible. Operation Dry Water, as it is named, is a state wide effort in North Carolina to step up BUI enforcement. The operation is set to run from June 22, 2012 – June 24, 2012. This will be the 4th year this operation has been put in effect. Indeed it is never advisable to drink and operate any type of vehicle, but with this type of enforcement it may make boaters think twice before drinking while boating.
It is great that law enforcement is taking acting to prevent accidents and fatalities on the lakes as operating a vessel while intoxicated can lead to disastrous results. However with such large scale campaigns aimed at stricter enforcement for a period of a couple days can sometimes lead to unfair charges against people who may not deserve them.
Should you find yourself charged with a BUI you need to contact an attorney who will take prompt action to defend your case. Our attorneys have in-depth knowledge of BUI law and experience defending BUI cases. For a private, confidential consultation with one of our experienced BWI lawyers, please call 704-499-9000 or toll-free 877-374-5999 even on weekends or holidays. Try not to worry. We are here to help. Call now.
Operation Dry Water Aims for Safe Recreational Boating Experiences
on Jun 05, 2012 08:38 AM
RALEIGH, N.C. (June 5, 2012) —The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will lead statewide efforts for Operation Dry Water, the fourth annual national campaign to prevent alcohol-related boating accidents.
Law enforcement officers from local, state and federal agencies will be out in force June 22-24 to remind boaters that it is unsafe, as well as illegal, to operate a boat under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
In North Carolina, penalties for boating while impaired can include fines up to $1,000 and jail.
“But the greater peril is having an accident,” said Maj. Chris Huebner, operations supervisor with the Wildlife Commission and the state boating safety coordinator. “North Carolina ranks 7th nationally for fatal boating accidents and 9th for boating accidents and boating injuries.”
Operation Dry Water is coordinated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the U.S. Coast Guard. In North Carolina, Operation Dry Water is incorporated into the state’s “On the Road, On the Water, Don’t Drink and Drive” campaign.
Maj. Huebner said that drinking adversely affects the skills necessary to operate a vessel. He warned that, even at levels below legal intoxication, alcohol affects:
– Peripheral vision and ability to focus
– Judgment and rational decision-making
– Balance and equilibrium
-Coordination and reaction time
“Wind and waves, combined with heat, glare, motor noise and vibration can create a condition known as ‘boater fatigue,’” Huebner said. “This can magnify the effects of alcohol on an individual up to three times.”
Wildlife officers with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission are charged with enforcing the boating laws and regulations on public waterways. They can routinely stop vessels for safety checks or violations. The goal of this enforcement is always safety.
Source : http://www.ncwildlife.org/News/NewsArticle/tabid/416/IndexId/7930/Default.aspx