Indiana Law Enforcement Focusing On Boater Safety

May 30, 2012

With Memorial Day weekend marking the beginning of summer for many, Indiana law enforcement is beginning to focus more on water and boating safety.

According to WTHITV 10 News, the U.S. Coast Guard estimated that 758 fatalities were reported on the water across the country last year, more than half of which occurred during the summer months. The most common reasons the accidents occurred were because of:

• operator inattention,
• operator inexperience,
• improper lookout,
• and excessive speed.

One such accident occurred over the weekend on Saturday at nearby Fox Lake when an inebriated boater collided his vessel with another while out on the water. Reports indicate that the incident occurred around 9:40 p.m. in Myers Bay when a 36-year-old man drove his powerboat into the front end of a pontoon boat. One woman suffered facial lacerations and other injuries that required her to be hospitalized as a result of the accident.

Experts say most boat operators could avoid such accidents simply by being more vigilant of their surroundings. It’s also important to remember to have a life jacket onboard the vessel for each passenger.

The Indiana Injury Lawyers with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin know that boat accidents can be responsible for any number of injuries, including brain injuries and Spinal Cord injuries. That’s why they would also ask that anyone who is planning on driving a boat to refrain from drinking alcohol before or while on the water.