When you head out on the water, you need to be cautious. While many of the rules regarding alcohol and driving are relaxed on lakes, rivers and oceans, the reality is that a boating crash can be as serious or even more serious than a traffic accident.
Boating accidents happen for a number of reasons ranging from user inexperience to drunk driving. That’s why it is so important to take steps to prepare for driving before you head out on the water. What should you do? Here are three tips.
1. Take a boating course
The first thing to do is to take a boating course. A boating course teaches you the rules of the water, how to know who has the right of way and local laws.
2. Get to know your vessel
Many boating courses don’t require you to take any kind of physical test where you have to show your skills on the water. If you’re unfamiliar with a boat that you’d like to use, make sure you take the time to read the user manual, ask for help from those who are familiar with driving or sign up for a boat driving course.
3. Avoid drinking anything but water
Yes, you can drink while on a boat, but if you plan to drive, stick to water. The heat and sun can lead to dehydration, and the effects are magnified if you’re drinking alcohol.
These are some tips to stay safe on the water. If you are involved in an accident, treat it like any other personal injury and make a claim with the other party’s insurance.
