Doug Snyder of the Tupper Lake area in upstate New York crashed his ATV and was charged with DWI. Snyder was transported to Adirondack Medical Center for treatment. Snyder sustained injuries to his hip but is in fair condition.

The summer months around the Lake Placid area see a high number of recreational vehicle injuries and DWIs. The danger of these vehicles is apparent as they have less safety restraints and protection for drivers and passengers.

Many feel the penalties for operating a recreational vehicle such as an ATV under the influence are not severe enough. In this case, Snyder was driving his ATV across Oak Street when he crashed. It is clear he could have harmed pedestrians or caused a serious car wreck. 

Across the country, questions have been raised about transferring DWI/DUI offenses from licenses for boats and recreational vehicles to driver's licenses. Many boating while intoxicated arrests do not carryover onto a person's driver's license.

Illinois has introduced legislation that would carry over between BWI & DWI. This means a suspension could occur on a person's driver's license if that person commits a similar offense on a recreational vehicle or boat. 

Similarly, a DWI on a recreational vehicle would count against a person's total DWI offenses. For example, if a person has a DWI within the past 5 years, a second offense on a recreational vehicle or boat would constitute a second offense within 5 years.

With all of the increased enforcement of DWI/DUI offenses originating across the country, it is surprising this type of legislation has not already been approved in the vast majority of states.