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OUI Checkpoints On Colorado River To Check For Impaired Boat Operators

DUI checkpoints are common during holiday weekends to ensure safety on the roads. A different kind of checkpoint will be set up on the Colorado River this weekend to ensure safety on the water.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is joining forces with the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this weekend to monitor boating safety.

They’ll be checking to ensure operators are not above the legal limit for OUI, or operating under the influence, which is a blood-alcohol content of 0.08 percent — the same as it is for drivers. Brandon Carley is with Game and Fish. 

“There's a lot of people out and by doing a checkpoint, we can talk to every boater to ensure that they have a sober operator and have all their safety equipment on board,” Carley said.

Carley said proper safety equipment includes a working fire extinguisher, Coast Guard-approved life jackets for each passenger and a throwable personal flotation device.

Chloe Jones was an intern at KJZZ from 2018 to 2019.