Michigan Lowers Legal Blood Alcohol Limit for Boaters, Matching Law for Auto Drivers

For everyone who was ready for spring to come two months ago, your wish is granted — the ice, snow, and bitter cold has made its exit until next winter. Now that the weather is starting to warm up a little, it’s around the time when recreational boaters, watercraft enthusiasts, and jet skiers think about going out onto the Great Lakes again. Watersports are fun for everyone, and living in Michigan means you have ample access to riverways, small lakes, and of course the Great Lakes. But boating comes with danger and, therefore, responsibility.

Every year, people are injured or killed because an intoxicated boat operator fails to exercise the caution they should. The U.S. Coast Guard reported that, in 2013, the primary contributing factor causing death in a boating accident was alcohol use. At Sachs Waldman, our experienced maritime and admiralty attorneys understand this complex area of law, and we care about helping victims of drunk-boating accidents recover for injuries and losses.

Michigan BUI Statute Gets Tough on Drunk Boaters

Operating watercraft, such as speedboats, yachts, or jet skis, is just as risky as operating a motor vehicle. And now, Michigan law agrees. Lowering the blood alcohol limit has been talked about since 2003 — the same year that the blood alcohol limit was lowered to .08 for automobile drivers — but it never got far enough to even reach the Senate. In December 2014, however, Governor Rick Snyder signed bills 4441 and 4442 that lowered the legal blood alcohol limit to .08 percent down from .10 percent for boaters, snowmobilers, and off-roaders. This unifies the law surrounding intoxicated driving, and sends a consistent message to not drink and operate dangerous machinery. The law is now in full effect, so automobiles and watercraft will be considered the same and drunk drivers will be punished the same if found to be above the legal limit.

The law includes additional stricter changes. The law prohibits anyone under 21 who has consumed any alcohol from operating a watercraft. And the operating ban is increased from six months to one year for people who refuse to take a blood alcohol content test.

Responsible Boaters Mean More Protection, Less Injuries on Great Lakes

In understanding how important this problem is, just consider who is most vulnerable to drunk boat operators. Obviously other watercraft are at risk on the water when there is inattentive or irresponsible boater nearby. But children and swimmers are especially vulnerable. Both children and swimmers are less visible, and often they are less capable of quickly getting out of the way. Just as children near or on a road are more vulnerable to being hurt when a reckless driver is out on the road, the same is true out on the water. Holding boaters more accountable has been long overdue.

Our Detroit Personal Injury Attorneys Fight for You

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a boating accident, our Sachs Waldman attorneys are here to help. Compassionate and skilled, we will take the time to talk with you about your situation to see what the best options are. We work on these types of cases routinely, so you can count on us to fight for you and your family so that you can rest easier. Contact our Detroit personal injury law firm at (800) 638-6722 for a free consultation.