Friday, June 19, 2009

IMPAIRED BOATING IS IMPAIRED DRIVING

(St. Mary’s River, ON) – A boating complaint was received near Bell’s Point on the St. Mary’s River yesterday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.

The check of a vessel by the OPP Marine Unit resulted in one vessel operator receiving a three day driver’s licence for drinking and boating.

Boaters caught drinking and boating in Ontario face the same penalties as those for drinking and driving. Penalties include:

-Three day driver’s license suspension if caught with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) in the “warn” range (0.05 to 0.08) with escalating sanctions.

-For boaters exceeding a 0.08 BAC:
An immediate 90-day driver’s licence suspension;
Mandatory alcohol assessment, education and follow-up as a condition of licence
re-instatement;
Installation of an Ignition Interlock on the boater’s motor vehicle;
Vehicle Impoundment for driving while under suspension; and
If convicted under the Criminal Code of Canada, the boater’s driver’s licence can be
suspended for one year up to a lifetime depending on whether it is a first, second or
subsequent offence.

The new legislation applies to motorized and non-motorized vessels including power boats, canoes, kayaks, jet-skies, sailboats and dinghies and other inflatable boats and rafts.

If your summer plans include boating, think smart, think safe.