Statewide Iowa — If you’re going to be out on the water this Fourth of July weekend, you should know that officers will be out on the water with you — in force — to help stop people from boating while intoxicated.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Boating Law Administrator Susan Stocker tells us about “Operation Dry Water.”
You may have heard of the Special Traffic Enforcement Projects or “STEP”, where law enforcement officers are on the roads in force to help enforce speed, OWI, and other laws. Stocker says this is the same thing, only on the water.
Operation Dry Water is happening all across the nation this holiday weekend, says Stocker. She tells us that in some ways, drinking and boating is like drinking and driving. However, there are some unique aspects of being in a boat.
She says being dehydrated can also increase the effects of alcohol.
Stocker says that while it is legal for boat passengers to drink alcohol, she would actually advocate for leaving the alcohol on shore and enjoying it only after you get where you’re going in both your boat and your motor vehicle, when and where everyone is safe.
