DENVER—People who drink while driving their boats will see stricter enforcement under a law that sets a lower threshold for boating under the influence.
The law that took effect last week sets the standard for a BUI at a blood-alcohol level of 0.08. That’s the same level for driving a car. Boaters previously had to have a blood-alcohol level of 0.10 to get a BUI.
Colorado State Parks spokeswoman Deb Frazier says about 35 percent of boating accidents result in a fatality when alcohol is involved.
Democratic state lawmaker John Kefalas says the legislation was in part inspired by the death of 2-year-old Shay Smith, who drowned in 2006. Authorities say the youngster’s father, Gil Smith, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.084 when he was driving the boat with his son at Carter Lake.
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Information from: Fort Collins Coloradoan,
