TWRA Stresses Safety for July 4th Weekened

TWRA officials emphasize the use of personal floatation 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.

 

So far in 2009, there have been 76 reported boating accidents resulting in 32 injuries and seven 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 97 BUI arrests this year as of June 29. Davidson County and Hamilton County have each had 20 BUI arrests which lead the state. Davidson County had 11 arrests for the entire year in 2007 and a state-high 24 arrests in 2008. Hamilton County has already surpassed its 2008 arrest total of 16.

 

Chickamauga Lake has 10 accidents reported in 2009 to lead the state. Percy Priest and Old Hickory have had six accidents each while Douglas, Holston and Kentucky lakes have all had five reported accidents this year.

 

Last year over the July Fourth holiday, there were 18 accidents reported over the period resulting in eight injuries and a single fatality which occurred on Nickajack Lake. TWRA officers made 27 BUI arrests over the holiday period.  

 

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.

 

TWRA wants boaters to recognize the effects and consequences of alcohol use while boating. In a boat on the water, consuming one beer is equivalent to drinking three beers on land 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---