Name: CPO Rich Riedel 
NIU Criminal Justice

Region / District: 2 / II

Years of experience: Since 1990  

Specialized training: Certified Northwestern Traffic Institute and National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.  Certified Instructor for DUI / OUI detection and field sobriety testing.  Field Training Officer, Firearms instructor, Breath Alcohol Testing operator.

What does OUI mean to boating safety?: Over 50% of boating fatalities have involved alcohol.  1200 people die in boating accidents every year.  90% of them drown, drowning is the third leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. 

Best Time for OUI Enforcement?: Thursday Nights, Weekends in the afternoons.

Do you recommend a boating safety class?: Yes, it is important to have formal training for all boaters.  Having taken the FREE classes sometimes allows for an insurance discount.

Does OUI affect your driving record?: No, only privileges to operate a watercraft.  Illinois has a implied consent which if testing is refused the operator can be imposed a 2 year suspension.

What is the legal limit for OUI?: .08 However, operators over .04 can still be convicted if impairment is present.

What are some signs that a captain is impaired?: Going too fast in a no wake area.  No running lights at night.  reckless or careless operation.  The presence of alcohol.  Auditory clues and signals from the crew and captain.  Sound travels far over open water.

What are the legal ramifications of operating under the influence?: During a criminal proceeding an operator can be charged fines from $750.00 to $1,500, serve time in Jail, and be sentenced to take alcohol evaluation classes

Does an OUI apply to boating only?: No, OUI can be applied to snowmobiles as well.

Does OUI affect your driving record?: No, only privileges to operate a watercraft.

When administering tests on a boat operators have been exposed to the sun and waves for hours.  These ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS make traditional balance tests difficult to perform.  CPO Riedel utilizes standardized testing which focus on coordination and multiple tasks.  Using these tests ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS do not affect the outcome.

CPO Riedel takes safe boating seriously.  Whether you're on the chain of lakes, Lake Shelbyville, or the Mississippi River. It is important to practice safe boating.  It all begins by taking a boating safety class and remembering the boating and safety regulations.  Serious consequences can result from operating under the influence.  Please consider boating safety classes.