TWRA Urges Boating Safety for July Fourth Weekend

NASHVILLE --- Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officials remind all those who visit the state’s waterways for the July Fourth holiday to be safe for what is annually one of the busiest weekends of the year.

 

TWRA officials emphasize the use of personal flotation devices (PFDs) while boating in a safe and responsible manner. The TWRA wants all those who visit the waterways to have an enjoyable time. However, TWRA officers will be on the watch for dangerous boating behavior, such as boating under the influence (BUI) and other reckless operation.

 

The 2010 July Fourth holiday period will run from 6 p.m. on Friday, July 2 through midnight Monday, July 5.

 

So far in 2010, there have been 69 reported boating accidents resulting in 38 injuries and 9 fatalities. Alcohol or drug use has been involved in 19 percent of all accidents and four of the fatalities were alcohol related. TWRA officers have made 85 BUI arrests this year as of June 28, 2010.

 

In 2009 over the July Fourth holiday weekend, there was one boating-related fatality. There were six total accidents reported resulting in injuries and nine that caused property damage. TWRA boating officers made 17 BUI arrests over the weekend.

 

Wearing a life jacket is the single most effective way to protect boaters and reduce drowning in boating accidents. Eighty percent of those who drown in boating accidents were not wearing a life jacket.

 

Along with the use of life jackets, TWRA wants to stress the responsible use of alcohol while boating. It is important to consider the effects of drinking and driving whether on water or land. In a boat on the water, the effects of alcohol increase because of external stressors such as engine vibration, wave motion and glare from the sun. Operating a boat with a Blood Alcohol Content of .08 or higher is illegal in Tennessee, the same as operating a motor vehicle.

---TWRA---