Punishment is important as a deterent.
There too many people on this lake that think that the heavy drinking is a key component to the boating lifestyle. I've personally seen boats leave our marina with a case of beer per person plus various mixed drinks, go to a sandbar, and come back a few hours later with all empties.
I talk to the boat drivers and they say that they keep their own consumption within reason. They still drink, but the only thing slowing them down is fear of arrest. Not one of them believes they need to be sober to drive a boat.
Most of them have more money then common sense. If you told them, the worst they would get was a fine and community service, they would have no deterent. The lake would be a very dangerous place.
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