36 BWI tickets issued in '12 on 2 lakes

AUSTIN (KXAN) - State game wardens have issued 36 tickets so far this year for boating while intoxicated on Lake Austin and Lake Travis.

Most of the tickets -- 29 -- were written to boaters on Lake Austin. Because of the low water levels, activity is down this year on Lake Austin.

Last weekend, wardens issued seven BWI tickets on the two lakes and made six arrests on alcohol-related offenses.

Officers last weekend said the rules out on the water are so strict for boating while intoxicated because most times drunk boaters end up getting in their cars after they're done on the lake, making for an even more dangerous situation.

"People assume boating is separate from driving, but really it's the same thing you are operating a motor vehicle accidents can happen," said warden Chris Hunt. "It's not going to be a good time if by the end of the day something goes wrong."