DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — Experts are warning people to stay safe on boats this July 4th weekend.
The Boating Law Administrator at the Illinois Department of Conservation said patrols will be out on the lake.
Last year, Illinois Conservation Police arrested 84 boaters for operating under the influence. This was an 11% increase from 2023.
Like driving a car, boat drivers need to be under the legal limit of 0.08.
"If it's impairing them at all that would be illegal," said Illinois Conservation Police Lieutenant Eric Rollins. "The operator just cannot be under the influence."
Statistics show that most boating accidents happen between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays between June and August.
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