Michigan boaters may soon have to be more aware of how much alcohol they consume.

A bill that was introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives in June could drop the legal blood alcohol content, or BAC, of motorized boat drivers from 0.10 to 0.08, the same as that for automobile drivers.

Sgt. Vern Elliott of the Ingham County Sheriff's Office said drunken boating has not been a big problem on Lake Lansing and added that there haven't been any alcohol-related boat accidents on the lake since 2004.

But he said it's still an issue for Michigan boaters.

"I think it's a bigger problem when you get to the larger lakes, like in Grand Haven, where there's more (boat traffic)," he said.

Almost half of all boating accidents involve alcohol, according to a Department of Natural Resources, or DNR, press release.Elliott said he's surprised the legal BAC for boating wasn't lowered to 0.08 sooner, when it was changed to 0.08 for automobile drivers.

"I think it's important for there to be a consistency with the two," he said. "I think it's just common sense — if it's 0.08 for driving then it should be 0.08 for being on the water."

He also said alcohol affects people differently on the water.

"Studies have shown that once you're in the marine environment — being in the sun, the water, wind and waves — alcohol will affect a person in that type of situation much more than someone who's just been drinking in his backyard or at a bar," Elliott said.

Lansing resident Mike Warnaar said he thinks the lowered limit won't change anything, especially on Lake Lansing where there aren't many accidents on the water.

The Michigan Licensed Beverage Association is opposed to the legislation and has opposed similar legislation in the past.

"Our association has pursued going after the people who are a real risk," said Lance Binoniemi, director of government affairs with the association. "Statistics show that high risk (boat) drivers are the ones that are 0.2 (or above)."

Binoniemi said when the BAC was reduced for automobile drivers, it was federally mandated legislation, unlike the legislation for boat drivers, which is not federally mandated.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.