The 4^thof July is right around the corner and so are a few law changes that could affect your Independence Day celebration plans. Several laws will change on July 1, 2018, but I want to take a moment and focus on two changes that will directly affect some of your 4^thof July celebration plans.

July 4^this well known in East Tennessee for being a day you spend on the lake. Many marinas around East Tennessee host fireworks, there are lack parties, and other festivities. The lake is a great place to escape the heat of a Tennessee summer day.

Starting on July 1^sttwo new laws take affect that could affect your time out on the lack. As many of you know, a few years back Tennessee passed a law that required anyone born after January 1, 1989 who was operating a boat to have taken and passed a test on operating watercraft without someone on board born prior to January 1, 1989 to supervise the operation. When the legislature passed this law, it did not restrict you from renting a boat if you were born after January 1, 1989 and had not taken the boater safety exam. Starting Sunday, July 1, 2018, if you are born after January 1, 1989 and are renting a boat, you are required to have taken and passed the Tennessee Boater Safety Exam.

Hope this doesn’t spoil your plans to go out on the lake on July 4^th. If you do plan to rent a boat and were born after January 1, 1989, there is still time to take the test: Here are a few locations that are offering the Boating Safety Test prior to July 1, 2018:

• Knox County
  • Farragut Town Hall
    June 30, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    Please bring Type 600 Boating Safety Exam Permit with you to the class.
    To register use Passcode FTH630

• Loudon County
  • Tellico Village Public Library in Loudon
    Testing available Monday-Friday.
    Call Carol Deforest for an appointment at (865) 458-5199.

The other change to the law coming on July 1^stis you speed demons have to slow down to no wake speed if you are within 100 feet of a law enforcement vessel with its blue lights on. Don’t become the victim of an easy stop and ticket by TWRA.

Being stopped for a no wake violation could be the beginning of a boating under the influence investigation and the end to your 4^thof July celebration. Be careful on the lake this coming 4^thof July and remember that just because you are on the water, you can still be stopped and arrested for drinking. Have a “DB” (Designated Boater) for all of your 4^thof July celebrations to stay out of the long arm reach of the law.

Happy 4^thof July! And remember, call Collver Law at (865) 770-3470 for the representation you deserve. Jason Collver not only knows the laws on the books, but he is defending you from the laws that might end up on the books. If you are accused of BUI, you need an attorney who will fight for your rights and defend you for what was most often a one-time mistake.