Human Error Plays Critical Role in Boating Accidents
In 2007, there were a total of 155 boating accidents reported in Ohio with 80 injuries and 14 fatalities. Passenger/Skier Behavior, Operator Inexperience, Careless/Reckless Operation, Alcohol Use, and Operator Inattention combined to cause 43% of the reported accidents, and resulted in half of the 14 fatalities. (In 2006, 143 accidents were reported, including 12 fatalities.)
"Twelve of the 14 boating-related deaths in 2007 involved victims who were not wearing a lifejacket," said Pamela Dillon, Chief of the ODNR Division of Watercraft. "We and our partners across the state strive to teach boating rules and regulations and how to manage risk. The most vital step to survival is wearing a lifejacket."
A combination of state boating safety efforts along with safety efforts at the federal level, education courses by volunteer organizations, improved technology of building safer boats, and public awareness has accomplished a great deal to reduce the number of boating fatalities.
The Division of Watercraft continues to target education and enforcement efforts to reach more boaters. It is always devastating when a day of recreation turns to a day of tragedy. Human error plays a critical role in boating accidents. Don't become a statistic. |