Law enforcement officers will be on some of Iowa’s rivers and lakes this coming weekend looking for impaired drivers. Susan Stocker, boating safety coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says Iowa is one of 48 state participating in Operation Dry Water June 26 through the 28th.
"It’s an extra effort to get enforcement officers looking for intoxicated drivers and make sure we have designated drivers out on the water," Stocker said. On average, there are just over 50 boating related crashes in Iowa every year. Stocker says around 25% of those incidents involve alcohol.
"It’s certainly something we’re always aware of and want to be on the minds of people that boating and drinking don’t mix," Stocker said. There were no fatalities on Iowa waterways in 2008, but there were 10 in 2007.
Stocker says enforcement officers in Polk, Marion and Scott Counties are currently scheduled to participate in the event this weekend. Iowa law states that a boat operator can be charged with drunk driving if their blood alcohol content is .10% or higher.