Three Reasons Why Drunk Boating May be More Dangerous than Drunk Driving

Operating a vehicle – whether it is a boat or car – while under the influence of alcohol is dangerous and potentially deadly.  As New Jersey and New York maritime lawyers, we do not minimize the dangers presented by drunk driving on our roadways.  However, we wish to emphasize three dangers that are unique to drunk boating.  Those dangers include:

• Drowning: Alcohol consumption can throw a person’s balance off and make falls overboard more likely. Additionally, alcohol consumption can lead to more accidents with equipment and other slips and falls, all of which make drowning more likely for drunk boaters.
• Illness:  Car drivers do not typically have to deal with the threat of hypothermia or the impact of the elements such as wind, salt air and precipitation.  The combination of the elements with alcohol can make a boater more likely to get sick than a driver of a car.
• Collision:  Stopping a boat is often more complicated than stopping a car.  You can’t simply apply a brake.  Thus, if a boat operator’s reaction time is delayed due to alcohol consumption, it may be too late to avoid a collision by stopping or changing course.

If you’ve been hurt in a drunk boating accident, please contact the experienced New Jersey and New York maritime accident lawyers of Hofmann & Schweitzer for more information.  We can be reached at 1-800-3-MAY-DAY or online contact form.