A heads up for those planning to go out on Table Rock Lake next month. The Missouri State Highway Patrol has announced plans to conduct a BWI or boating while intoxicated sobriety checkpoint sometime in August.
The latest U.S. Coast Guard recreational boating crash statistics from 2017 show that alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating crashes.
Captain Juan Villanueva, commanding officer of Troop D, Springfield, says boaters who come across a checkpoint on the water may be stopped. Officers will perform a basic safety check of the boat’s equipment. Those thought to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be asked to submit to a field sobriety test.
According to Villanueva, boaters should always designated a sober operator anytime their plans include alcohol.