Michael Sovine the assistant park manager at Hyrum State Park stands by his patrol boat on Friday June 30. He will be watching for impaired people operating boats during the Fourth of July weekend.
SALT LAKE CITY —Recreational enthusiasts across Utah beware as the Independence Day holiday approaches. The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation (DOR) will be out looking for impaired vehicle operators.
DOR is committed to ensuring every Utahn can live a healthy and active lifestyle through outdoor recreation and access to natural space. DOR’s areas of focus include recreational access; safety and education; stewardship and sustainable visitation; and, economic growth and opportunity through outdoor recreation.
In Utah, operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.05% or higher is against the law.
Michael Sovine, assistant park manager for Hyrum State Park, said this Fourth of July weekend is one of their busiest times of the year.
“As soon as the parade is over, they start to come here,” he said. “Alcohol use is heavily reported here. We nip it in the bud quickly.”
He said it’s hard to hide cases of beer in a convertible. They can spot it right off.
“It’s easy to see when it’s in a boat,” Sovine said. “We have a different field sobriety battery to determine if someone is impaired.”
There is a three-fold card for field sobriety testing they carry with them.
On land operating an ATV or on the water riding in a boat the sharp eyes of Utah’s DOR will be out trying to keep everyone safe.
The state officials will be watching the state’s waterways and off-highway vehicles (OHV) and trails for people operating their vehicles in an unsafe manner.
With more people on both Utah’s land and waterways, historically, there is an upsurge in the number of incidents and fatalities from July 1 – 3.
The organization is joining other states in the national Operation Dry Water heightened awareness and enforcement weekend.
The division’s outdoor recreation law enforcement officers, as well as Division of Wildlife Resources conservation officers and State Parks rangers, will be available to educate boaters and OHV operators about safe practices, including sober operation.
Consuming alcohol is the leading contributing factor in recreational boater fatalities, as well as incidents involving OHVs in Utah. In the coming days leading up to the Fourth of July holiday, rangers will be actively working to increase public awareness of the hazards associated with operating boats and OHVs under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Boaters and riders can expect an overall increase in law enforcement patrols on the waterways and trails.
Chief Steve Bullock, the Law Enforcement Chief of DOR, says operating OHVs or watercraft while impaired continues to pose significant problems on Utah’s waterways and trails.
“The tragedies that result from incidents involving impaired operators are entirely preventable,” he said. “Our division is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone recreating outdoors this holiday weekend. That is why our recreation rangers will be out in full force, working to prevent incidents, deaths, and injuries caused by operating under the influence.”
Operating a vessel on the water or an OHV on the trails while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and can lead to severe injuries, loss of life and legal consequences.
The DOR wants to remind all boaters and OHV users to drive sober and to wear appropriate safety gear, such as life jackets and helmets, when on or around the water and trails.
Operation Dry Water is a year-round campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of operating boats or OHVs while under the influence, to reduce the number of alcohol and drug-related incidents and fatalities.
Officials hope the expanded patrol operations and enforcement efforts will serve as a visible deterrent to alcohol and drug use both on the waterways and on OHV trails.
For more information about boating and off-highway vehicle safety and the risks associated with operating under the influence, visit recreation.utah.gov or operationdrywater.org.