Saturday, July 04, 2009
Tipsy drivers and boaters who think they can avoid enforcement this July 4 weekend by refusing alcohol tests had better think again.
Local law enforcement agencies are enforcing a “no-refusal weekend,” teaming up with district judges who are on standby to fax out search warrants and compel the tests.
“We call them and wake them up in the middle of the night if necessary,” said Texas Department of Public Safety Corporal David Murphy on Friday. He said the judges approved two search warrants for noncompliant suspects Thursday night, at the request of DPS and Woodway officers.
If the judge orders a search, the drunk driving suspect will be taken to a local hospital to be given a blood test.
“We’ve told our guys that once you say you’re going to get a warrant, whether they change their mind or not, go ahead and get the warrant so there won’t be any question later,” Murphy said. In Texas, a driver of a boat or car is considered intoxicated with a .08 percent blood-alcohol level.
Murphy said every trooper in the state is out on the highways this weekend, so the likelihood of drunk drivers getting caught is high.
Other participating agencies include the Waco, Woodway, Lorena and Texas State Technical College police departments and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens.
Four wardens are patrolling Lake Waco this weekend, and they’re looking for intoxicated boaters. It’s not illegal to drink while driving a boat, but the penalties for intoxicated boating are the same as for driving while intoxicated: a Class B misdemeanor the first time, Class A the second time and a state jail felony the third.
“Last year, we saw a lot of people choose to have designated drivers, and that’s a good idea,” said game warden Jason Campbell, who was patrolling Lake Waco on Friday evening.
Campbell said he hadn’t observed any drunken boating violations so far, but he expected more cases Friday evening and Saturday.
Another game warden said a boat collision last week involving an intoxicated boater caused one person to be hospitalized. Information about that person’s condition was not available late Friday.
jbsmith@wacotrib.com
757-5752
Comments
By BOATING GUY
Jul 6, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this
I would like to know why the Sherrif's Department employee who slammed a boat into an anchored barge last weekend did not get the strict treatment of having to blow or be given a blood test at the hospital??? I was one of the people on the barge who went to the ER for injuries!! That man was clearly drunk, and now he is going to get off of the BWI because of lack of training by the Parks and Wildlife officers. There hasn't even been a police report filed yet. I guess they actually do take care of there own in these difficult situations...
Our city has really hit a slump as of late. He deserves punishment for what he did to us and the barge!!
By Al
Jul 4, 2009 9:39 PM | Link to this
Ratso, here is a simple solution, don't drink and drive at all. That way you can avoid any question.
By void
Jul 4, 2009 3:43 PM | Link to this
And don't drive cars and boats if you are sleepy, angry, ill, old, have health problems, while texting or talking, looking at a map, distracted by a child, fighting with a spouse or even if you are confused! We need roadblocks everywhere to check everyone for everything and stop ALL of this dangerous behavior!
By Ratso
Jul 4, 2009 11:34 AM | Link to this
null... there ARE laws about drinking and boating...
By null
Jul 4, 2009 10:58 AM | Link to this
there should be a low about drinking while driving a boat also. it is just as dangerous if not more on the water. people already go out an act like a fool on the water.
By Ratso
Jul 4, 2009 9:56 AM | Link to this
The DWI laws being set as low as .08 aren't about saving lives, it's about generating money, even more so with the state of our economy. The statistics are skewed because even if you have one beer and get in an accident, then "alcohol was involved" and the people enforcing these laws will do their best to ruin your life over it. Bottom line, it's still the law and isn't worth the jail time or the expense! Be sure to have a designated driver, because if you choose to drink and drive, eventually YOU WILL BE CAUGHT! Get a DD and have a safe and enjoyable weekend!
Commenting is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F, except on Tuesday when it's open until 9 p.m.
Post a comment
*HTML not allowed in comments. Your e-mail address is required.