Shaver vows to continue working on boating laws after recognition by MADD

State Rep. Ginny Shaver says she's honored to be recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving as one of the advocacy group's state legislators of the year for her efforts to pass a bill to strengthen boating under the influence penalties.

She feels it's a bit of a "participation trophy," because the bill she sponsored didn't pass — but the research and work she's done with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has created an awareness of the need to update many of Alabama's boating laws.

Shaver, R-Leesburg, was one of three Alabama lawmakers and one of 65 legislators across the United States recognized.

All were honored for bills that aimed to combat drunk driving in some way; Shaver's addressed driving boats while drinking.

She said she believes that job needs to be tackled, perhaps before other efforts.

Shaver contends boating under the influence should be treated the same as driving under the influence, and that other infractions on the water should be handled the same way as similar offenses on roads and highways.

Currently, boating infractions are misdemeanor crimes, while similar driving infractions are citations — something that does not show up on a background check the way a misdemeanor will, Shaver said.

Legislative Services is working on possible legislation to make changes in those laws.

The U.S. Coast Guard's 2020 figures attest to the dangers of mixing alcohol and water recreation. Alcohol was a contributing factor in 296 accidents across the country, the USCG reported, resulting in 115 deaths and 260 injuries nationwide.

In 2019, the Coast Guard reported alcohol was a factor in 282 accidents, resulting in 113 deaths and 221 injuries.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported among adolescents and adults, alcohol use was reported in up to 70% of deaths associated with water recreation — a figure that includes swimming incidents as well those on boats and other vessels.

Alcohol use was a factor in nearly a quarter of the nationwide emergency room visits related to drownings, and it was a factor in 1 out of 5 boating deaths.

The CDC report noted alcohol has been found to impair balance, coordination and judgment, and it increases risk-taking behavior.

HB489, the bill Shaver tried to pass in the last legislative session, would have suspended boating and driving licenses for people convicted of boating under the influence.

“I will continue to advocate for this issue with hopes we reach the day when there are no more victims of drunk driving,” Shaver was quoted in a press release from MADD.

The other Alabama lawmakers were honored by MADD for writing legislation dealing with on-the-road driving under the influence.

Rep. Arnold Mooney, R-Birmingham, authored HB 156, aimed at improving the implementation of the 2018 ignition interlock law, which requires these devices for all plea or diversion agreements. HB 156 would have eliminated the sunset date of that law.

Rep. Proncey Robertson, R-Mount Hope, authored Bentley’s Law (HB 114) to require impaired drivers to pay child support when they cause a crash that kills a parent or guardian.

Mooney's bill failed in the House, Robertson's died in committee.

MADD didn't detail alcohol-related incidents on water in announcing its honors, but noted that drunk driving continues to be a problem in the U.S. and in Alabama.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 236 people were killed in drunk driving-related crashes in the state in 2020.

For the full list of state lawmakers recognized, visit madd.org.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Alabama representative honored for boating under the influence bill