(Des Moines)– Governor Terry Branstad has signed into law a measure setting the same blood-alcohol limits for boaters who consume alcohol as those for motorists on the state’s highways.
Under the measure signed by Branstad today (Wednesday), a blood-alcohol level of .08 percent could bring a conviction, down from the 0.10 of a percent that was previously allowed.
The legislature lowered the blood-alcohol level for motorists several years ago, and took the same step for boaters this year.
The requirement will apply to both power boats and sailboats, and on rivers, streams and lakes in the state.
Water safety advocates in the Iowa Great Lakes have lobbied for the change the past several years.
(Story from the Associated Press.).
