Visitors to the Colorado River were warned not to drive a boat while drinking and/or doing drugs. | power trip/Unsplash
Visitors to the Colorado River were warned not to drive a boat while drinking and/or doing drugs. | power trip/Unsplash
Law enforcement officials are urging visitors to the Colorado River to be safe and aware of their surroundings, according to a press release from Clark County.
Officials from the following organizations recently held a press conference: American Medical Response, Bullhead City, the Clark County Fire Department, Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the Nevada Department of Wildlife. The event was held near the veterans' memorial flag display next to Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort Hotel and Casino in Laughlin.
"We want everyone to enjoy the river and all that Laughlin has to offer, but safety must remain top of mind for boaters and personal watercraft operators," Naft said. "Nationally, the number of accidents, injuries, and deaths has increased one-quarter, according to the most recent statistics available. We must better educate the boating community so that together we can tackle this very serious problem."
Risks that visitors should be aware of include driving a boat while drinking and/or doing drugs, the press release noted. Alcohol use is the biggest factor in fatal boat accidents. The limit for blood-alcohol content while driving a boat is .08 – the same limit as driving a vehicle on land. Alcohol usage can be risky for passengers as well since they are more likely to tumble overboard, slip, or experience other potentially fatal situations.
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