Kentucky Officers Join National Campaign to Stop B.U.I
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:44 pm
[flash=]Kentucky Officers Join National Campaign to
Stop Boating Under the Influence [/flash]
Jun 19, 2009
http://fw.ky.gov/newsrelease.asp?nid=565
Frankfort, Ky. – Conservation officers with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will join a nationwide campaign to stop boating under the influence June 26-28. Operation Dry Water, a campaign coordinated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, will increase law enforcement presence on the water to prevent alcohol-related boating incidents and fatalities. At least 47 states are slated to participate. Officers will be out in full force throughout the weekend on Kentucky’s lakes and rivers.
“Kentucky ranks 28th in the country for the number of registered boats, but our alcohol-related fatality rate is higher than a lot of the biggest boating states,” said Sgt. John Anderson, boating education coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “So we have a lot of room for improvement.”
Drinking alcohol on Kentucky waters is illegal, both for boat operators and their passengers. Alcohol can impair judgment, vision, balance and reaction time. It can increase the effects of “boater’s fatigue,” a condition caused by sun, wind, noise and the boat’s vibration.
Kentucky’s boating incident statistics are sobering. While 21 percent of boating fatalities nationwide were a result of alcohol use in 2007, Kentucky’s alcohol-related boating fatalities totaled about 50 percent that year.
“This is a national concern. It’s not just Kentucky,” Anderson said. “Our goal is no fatalities on the water, and one of the ways to reach that goal is strong alcohol enforcement.”
Kentucky boaters can expect special law enforcement details at many of the state’s lakes and rivers. Boaters whose blood alcohol content levels exceed the national limit of .08 percent can expect a citation and possible jail time.
“We will have every available officer on the water June 26-28,” said Col. Robert Milligan, director of Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s law enforcement division. “Officers will have zero tolerance for impaired boaters.”
As the boating season approaches its busiest time, many boaters visit Kentucky waters from out of state.
“We invite boaters from outside Kentucky,” said Anderson. “Our position is that taking a strong stance on alcohol makes Kentucky a safer place to boat. We’re encouraging tourism.”
Officers will also make routine checks of required boating safety equipment such as life jackets and fire extinguishers. Boaters should check the 2009 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide to be sure they meet all safety requirements. The guide is available online at fw.ky.gov and wherever fishing licenses are sold.
“I fully support our officers’ involvement in Operation Dry Water,” said Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Jon Gassett. “Boating under the influence is a serious threat to everyone’s safety and enjoyment on the water. Increased law enforcement presence will save lives and ease the minds of responsible, safe boaters throughout the Commonwealth.”
Stop Boating Under the Influence [/flash]
Jun 19, 2009
http://fw.ky.gov/newsrelease.asp?nid=565
Frankfort, Ky. – Conservation officers with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will join a nationwide campaign to stop boating under the influence June 26-28. Operation Dry Water, a campaign coordinated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, will increase law enforcement presence on the water to prevent alcohol-related boating incidents and fatalities. At least 47 states are slated to participate. Officers will be out in full force throughout the weekend on Kentucky’s lakes and rivers.
“Kentucky ranks 28th in the country for the number of registered boats, but our alcohol-related fatality rate is higher than a lot of the biggest boating states,” said Sgt. John Anderson, boating education coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “So we have a lot of room for improvement.”
Drinking alcohol on Kentucky waters is illegal, both for boat operators and their passengers. Alcohol can impair judgment, vision, balance and reaction time. It can increase the effects of “boater’s fatigue,” a condition caused by sun, wind, noise and the boat’s vibration.
Kentucky’s boating incident statistics are sobering. While 21 percent of boating fatalities nationwide were a result of alcohol use in 2007, Kentucky’s alcohol-related boating fatalities totaled about 50 percent that year.
“This is a national concern. It’s not just Kentucky,” Anderson said. “Our goal is no fatalities on the water, and one of the ways to reach that goal is strong alcohol enforcement.”
Kentucky boaters can expect special law enforcement details at many of the state’s lakes and rivers. Boaters whose blood alcohol content levels exceed the national limit of .08 percent can expect a citation and possible jail time.
“We will have every available officer on the water June 26-28,” said Col. Robert Milligan, director of Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s law enforcement division. “Officers will have zero tolerance for impaired boaters.”
As the boating season approaches its busiest time, many boaters visit Kentucky waters from out of state.
“We invite boaters from outside Kentucky,” said Anderson. “Our position is that taking a strong stance on alcohol makes Kentucky a safer place to boat. We’re encouraging tourism.”
Officers will also make routine checks of required boating safety equipment such as life jackets and fire extinguishers. Boaters should check the 2009 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide to be sure they meet all safety requirements. The guide is available online at fw.ky.gov and wherever fishing licenses are sold.
“I fully support our officers’ involvement in Operation Dry Water,” said Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Jon Gassett. “Boating under the influence is a serious threat to everyone’s safety and enjoyment on the water. Increased law enforcement presence will save lives and ease the minds of responsible, safe boaters throughout the Commonwealth.”
