Austin police and Texas game wardens have stepped up their patrols on the water in response to a dramatic increase in injuries and deaths on area lakes due to boating under the influence of alcohol. “Operation Dry Water” was launched as a nationwide initiative in 2009 and has seen a 3% decline in deaths on the nation’s waters.
Last year, Austin police saw a decline in BWI arrests as the boating season went on. This is attributed to boaters noticing the increased patrols and arrests. Although BWI carries the same penalties as DWI, boating accidents can be much more dangerous, according to Austin Police Sergeant Glen Kreger. This is because boats are not built to handle impact and do not have safety features such as air bags and seat belts. Landing in water with an injury can be far more serious than being ejected from a car and landing on pavement.
Austin boating accident attorneys have seen some serious injuries that have occurred on the water. Not all boating injuries are caused by alcohol consumption on the water. Many accidents are caused by inexperienced operators. Many injuries and deaths could have been prevented by the use of safety gear and common-sense safety practices. Do not operate a boat after drinking. Learn boating laws. Be sure everyone who will be on the boat knows how to swim. Make sure everyone on the boat is wearing a personal life vest rated for their size. And if you need a boating attorney, it is imperative that you contact TK Injury Lawyers immediately. When an accident occurs, time is of the essence. Delay can cost you thousands.
If you enjoy boating for recreational or other purposes, you are at risk of accidents and injuries any time you are on the water. If you suffer injuries in a boat accident, contact an Austin personal injury lawyer for help. During National Safe Boating Week that occurs during the month of May, the focus is […]
Summer is almost upon us. Soon the waters around Austin will be filled with a variety of boats. This means it will be more important than ever to follow boating safety tips. Life Jacket or Personal Flotation Device (PFD): Each person on a boat should wear a PFD or life jacket. Most boating fatalities result […]