Drunk Driving Laws on Land and Sea: Daily

By Fiona Hurrell, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The city’s Operação Lei Seca (Operation Prohibition or Dry Law) is being enforced both on land and on water this year for the New Years Réveillon celebrations. On New Year’s Eve, the Port Authority will be enforcing a crack-down operation that will prohibit the operation of boats by any person under the influence of alcohol.

According to Commander Walter Bombard, Port Captain, owners of private vessels will be subjected to a breathalyzer test if they are deemed unfit to operate the controls safely.

The inspections will mostly be carried out at the Rio Yacht Club and the Marina da Gloria, following the same standard of rules as enforced for driving a vehicle on roadways under the influence.

Such precautions are deemed a necessary after three sailors were arrested last New Year’s Eve for being under the influence of alcohol. Officials are concerned, however, that boat drivers will be able to escape penalty by transferring the boat in to the hands of a less intoxicated person.

On Thursday, December 29th, the port authority approved the 17 ferries that will be used to launch the New Year’s Eve fireworks for crowds on the beaches of Copacabana, Flamengo and Icaraí. Eleven of them will make the party at Copacabana Beach, where an estimated two million people are expected to gather for the celebration.

Unfortunately, weather reports predict cooler temperatures and rain, though this will doubtfully affect the number of revelers in the city.

Read more (in Portuguese).

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