The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has cracked down on boating under the influence ahead of one of the busiest weekends on the state’s lakes and reservoirs.
In something like a shot across the bow of intoxicated boaters, TWRA made 27 arrests last weekend. And for the July Fourth holiday, the agency’s Glenn Moates says officers will be patrolling non-stop.
“Reckless or negligent operation of boats, we’re looking for overloaded boats, in other words a boat that looks like it has too many people in it. We’re looking for boats with registration violations.”
TWRA officers went through specialized training to recognize boating under the influence violations last month. The agency has made more than 85 BUI arrests this year and is on pace to surpass the 2009 total.
The legal limit for blood alcohol content is the same for boat operators as it is for drivers.
Nine people have died in boating accidents this year, and four of them were alcohol or drug related. A total of 22 Tennessee boaters died last year.
On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM