Alabama Boating Season is Off to a Dangerous Start

MARSHALL COUNTY, AL – According to an online news report at whnt.com, the start of Alabama’s 2019 boating season has been off to a dangerous start.  The warm weather in May and June has been influencing more people and more people to engage in boating.*

According to state troopers, the amount of injuries, accidents and deaths are higher this year than at this time last year.  The latest accident occurred this week where a man went missing at Wheeler Lake in Limestone County. 

One individual notes that he is not willing to waste an evening on the water during nice weather.  The man notes that “I was trying to go two or three times a week.”  With several hours to fish before sunset, the man and his uncle enjoy casting a line.  However, because of the dangers associated with boating, especially in the evening hours, he always has a spotlight or flashlight on his person as well as a depth finder to allow him to see where there are tree stumps in the water.

According to the Alabama State Police, "[Wheeler Lake] becomes a totally different animal at night. When you get on the lake at night, no illumination, you think you know the lake, you don't.”

With more people seeking to take their boats for a ride, this makes it more dangerous on Highway 431 where Lake Wheeler is located.  This is due to the fact that people are trying to back their boats into the water, which, due to the increased traffic, has become increasingly treacherous.  

With the dangers associated with boating, each person must have a life jacket while on board.  Also, just like in a vehicle, if you have a blood alcohol level of above 0.08, that will be over the limit and you will be arrested. If you are caught boating while impaired, you cannot boat for three months and you may receive a fine of up to $2,100.

Accident News is a driver safety and education initiative from Montlick & Associates, designed to help people better understand and thereby avoid common accident causes.  To learn more about our injury prevention programs, including iridesafe.com - click here. We hope you are never in an accident, but if you or family member are injured, call Montlick & Associates 24/7 for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) or use our live chat at Montlick.com.

Source:https://whnt.com/2019/06/12/dangerous-start-to-boating-season-in-alabama/