Montoursville, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) joined safety partners and local officials at Shikellamy State Park to promote safe driving and boating during a “Fourth of July Impaired Driving Campaign” which runs through July 5, 2026.
The event took place in advance of a heightened “Operation Dry Water” enforcement weekend. Operation Dry Water is a year-round boating under the influence (BUI) awareness and enforcement campaign. Its mission is to reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related crashes and fatalities on the water.
Event participants, including the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), the Highway Safety Network, the PA DUI Association, Montour County and Northumberland County District Attorneys, and law enforcement representing the Snyder/Union DUI Task Force and the Northumberland County Task Force discussed planned roadway and waterway DUI/BUI patrols and demonstrated waterway sobriety checks. American flags representing the 64 impaired driving crashes resulting in two fatalities in Northumberland County during 2025 were on display.
BUI laws pertain to all vessels, from canoes, kayaks, and rowboats, to the largest ships.
Under Pennsylvania law, boat operators can be arrested for BUI while operating any watercraft if they are incapable of safe operation regardless of any blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
“Boating under the influence is illegal and can be deadly. The motion of the water, the sun, heat, and vibrations of the boat can enhance the effect of alcohol, impairing a person’s judgement, balance, vision, and reaction time,” said Waterways Conservation Officer C. Hunter Shoemaker. “The operator of the boat should be sober, and everyone aboard should wear a life jacket for safety.”
Pennsylvania is a boating destination state; boaters drive to and from their places of boating. When boat operators consume alcoholic beverages or take controlled substances while boating and then get into a motor vehicle to drive home, a BUI becomes a DUI.
Crashes during holiday periods often increase due to the volume of traffic on the road. PennDOT data shows there were 272 crashes resulting in eight fatalities over the Fourth of July holiday last year. Sixty-three of those crashes were drug or alcohol-related, resulting in two fatalities.
Local law enforcement and Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) will be deployed throughout the area over the holiday weekend looking for drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol.
“Keep yourself, your friends and family, and everyone else on the roads and waterways safe this Fourth of July. Don’t risk driving or boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Designate a sober driver,” said Regional DUI Program Administrator Shawn Noonan with the PA DUI Association.
PennDOT offers these safety tips for the Fourth of July holiday weekend:
- Remember it is never okay to drive impaired. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride sharing service to get home safely.
- If hosting a party, offer plenty of food and non-alcoholic drinks. Take the keys away from anyone impaired and assist guests in getting home safely.
- If you are planning on being the designated driver, refrain from drinking any alcohol—it’s that simple. People are relying on you.
To learn more about impaired driving and traffic safety, visit pa.gov/dotsafety.
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MEDIA CONTACTS: Maggie Baker and Kim Smith at ra-pdd03crc@pa.gov
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