Boating Education
Living in Florida, we see a lot of privately owned boats that cruise along the rivers and channels here in Fort Lauderdale. Fun as it must be to own or charter your own boat, it is not without responsibilities. For instance, every year in Arizona, alcohol is directly related to fatal boating accidents. Fifty percent of all fatal boating accidents in Arizona as well as one-third of all fatal boating accidents nationwide are all alcohol related.
In 2007 Arizona watercraft law enforcement agencies arrested over 350 people who were operating watercraft under the influence (OUI) of alcohol. I can probably say that it’s not surprising if we have the same level of incidence over here.
Operating a boat while impaired is just as dangerous and just as illegal as drinking while driving a car. The legal limit for blood alcohol is .08 in both cases. The penalties are similar, too, like driving under the influence, operating a boat under the influence is also a Class One misdemeanor. A sober operator (designated driver, if you will) should also be designated if needed.
Educated boaters are 70 percent less likely to be involved in a boating accident, which is why the State of Arizona has come up with Boating Education Online, to spread the word about the effects of alcohol, carbon monoxide poisoning, life jacket wear, required safety equipment, rules of navigation, and other boating safety laws and responsibilities.
Here are some videos that you may find educational, as well as interesting:
Boat Sober Commercial
Boating in Arizona
As the old saying goes, knowledge is power. In this case, knowledge is safety - on the road or on the seas - for everyone.
MrsWorkingGirl :: Jun.05.2008 :: Nickel and Dime ::
