Fishing Forum

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA News Release
For Immediate Release: Aug 12, 2011
Release No.: 2011-30
Contact: Kevin Turner, (702) 293-8712

SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT SCHEDULED FOR AUG. 21 AT LAKE MEAD
LAS VEGAS -

Park rangers at Lake Mead will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint on Sunday, Aug. 21 from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Lakeshore Road in the area of Las Vegas Bay.Each year park rangers arrest and average of 200 visitors park wide for driving under the influence. So far this year their have been two fatal motor vehicle accidents where alcohol is believed to have been a factor.

National Park Service rangers along with officers from the Hoover Dam and Boulder City police departments will be on the lookout for impaired drivers."What's most disconcerting about the DUIs we see in the park is that more often than not the car is occupied by family and friends," said Chief Ranger Mary Hinson. "We do these checkpoints because impaired drivers are
not only a danger to themselves, they're a danger to everyone on the road."It's a federal crime to operate a vehicle or boat under the influence in a national park. Penalties include fines up to $5000, maximum 6 months in jail, and up to five years probation. Media outlets interested in covering the checkpoint should contact KevinTurner at (702) 293-8712 or [url "mailto:kevin_turner@nps.gov"][/url][url "mailto:kevin_turner@nps.gov"]kevin_turner@nps.gov[/url]

- NPS -

link below
[url "http://groups.google.com/group/lakemeadnews/browse_thread/thread/ab706e22bc5a8de2"]http://groups.google.com/group/lakemeadnews/browse_thread/thread/ab706e22bc5a8de2[/url]
[signature]

I don't drink at the lake because of the dehydration. Since I fish from a kayak, I don't have much room for a 6 pack anyway.

But could I be arrested for drinking and paddling?
[signature]

K.U.I. ? [cool]
[signature]

They can arrest you for being drunk on the lake, be it from a boat, kayak or air matress floating away.

On the other hand, I have spent many days paddling away with a 6 pack between my feet. I even got stopped by rangers for a fishing license check while on the kayak, and I had a tall-boy in my hand and an empty on deck while I spoke to them. They never mentioned the beer, and I kept on fishin'.... (and sippin').
[signature]

If you are coherant and not being a dumb a** out there, they will leave you alone.

they are looking for the guys that get to close to others on jet ski's or way to many people on a boat, or towing a tube with someone not wearing a life jacket, ect. ect.
[signature]

KUI - hah - that's a good one. so we'd have FUI also, eh?

Don't know about your rules, but in my "great" state - you can't drink and drive. So if you're under "motor" you can't have an open container. I think I done broke that law once or twice (shh) - better to anchor up or float before cracking a cold one.

But - same story - you can't be "over the limit" while on the water. I believe it doesn't matter if you're the driver or not. But I could be wrong on that.

Been enough alcohol related accidents and deaths. Hell I have a hard enough time keeping my balance when the big wake makers blast by anyway. Don't need MORE help getting "tipsy".