Lowering Alcohol Limits for Boaters: What it Means

Gov. Nathan Deal signed SB 136, a bill to strengthen public safety on Georgia's waterways, last week at the Holiday Marina at Lake Lanier.

The legislation, a portion of which is known as the Jake and Griffin Prince BUI Law, lowers the legal blood-alcohol content for boaters from a .10 to .08. The new law also increases penalties for those found to be boating while intoxicated.

“Far too many tragedies have occurred as a result of boating under the influence and inadequate boater education,” Deal said in a released statement. “Last June, I vowed to work with the General Assembly to pass legislation in honor of . As I have said, if you are too drunk to drive an automobile, you are too drunk to drive a boat.”

Prior to Tuesday's signing, Georgia was one of only eight states that had a higher blood-alcohol content limit for boating than for driving. 

Another portion of the legislation requires all motorized vessel operators born on or after Jan. 1, 1998 to complete a boater safety education course and further mandates all youth ages 13 and under wear life jackets on a moving boat. That portion of the legislation is known as the Kile Glover Boat Education Law in honor of .  

Also, as part of the legislation, the blood-alcohol content limit for hunting under the influence will be lowered to .08.