ND drivers required to be more sober than boaters

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BISMARCK (AP) — North Dakota law says boaters, hunters and snowmobilers can be a bit drunker than someone who’s driving a car. The state House has decided to keep things that way.

Six years ago, the Legislature lowered the legal blood-alcohol limit for drivers from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent. The limit stayed at 0.10 percent for boaters, water skiers, hunters and snowmobilers.

Representatives voted 55-37 on Tuesday to reject a proposal to lower the legal limit for boaters and others to the same limit as for driving.

Minto Rep. Robert Kilichowski (kil-HUSS’-kee) says state law should be consistent. He says the measure is important to law enforcement officers.

Minot Rep. Dan Ruby says it’s unclear whether the change would make any real difference in enforcement. Ruby says the legal blood-alcohol limit was lowered for drivers so North Dakota could avoid losing federal highway construction money.

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