It is an unfortunate reality that every year there are dozens of boaters in Florida who pass away in what should be avoidable accidents on the state’s waterways. All boaters born after January 1, 1988 are required to pass boater education courses in the state before operating a vessel, but that law does not necessarily prevent illegal or irresponsible operation entirely.
Everyone who operates a boat in the state has a responsibility to do so safely to ensure the waterways can be happily enjoyed by everyone. Several of the key steps beyond boater education courses that boaters can take to help reduce the number of accidents that occur in the state include:
- Wear a life jacket: Life jackets significantly reduce the chances of fatalities in boating accidents. Wearing a life jacket at all times protects you in the event of a boat overturning or capsizing, or from a situation in which you are ejected from or need to jump out of the boat.
- Slow down: Many of the accidents that occur on boats are because operators are simply going too fast, which results in them losing control of their boat. Reducing speeds also helps to reduce wakes, which makes the water safer for other boaters.
- Stay sober: Far too many boating accidents occur because people were operating the vessel while drunk. Boating culture and drinking culture have something of an intersection, but that needs to be curbed to make the waterways safer.
For more information about the steps you can take if you or a loved one have been injured in an accident caused by a negligent boater, contact an experienced Manatee County personal injury lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez & Walsh.