Boat Drunk Driving

Everyone knows that drunk driving is a bad idea no matter what you are driving; whether it is a motorcycle, a car or a boat. Some people believe that alcohol is the most dangerous when you are on a boat for various reasons. Here we will look at the dangers of boating drinking and driving so you can think about these factors and avoid drunk driving all together. 

Boat Factors that Increase Your Risk

When you are on a boat, there are certain factors that increase your risk of falling into the hands of danger while drunk driving. These factors explain why boating drinking and driving is such a bad idea and will hopefully encourage you not to do it or prevent someone who is. 

Increased Impairment from External Factors

On a boat, there are certain factors that are not present when you are on land that make drunk driving on a boat more disorienting. There is extra sunshine if you are outside, as well as a lot of engine noise if the boat is running. There is a continual vibration as well as rocking motion of the boat on the water, whether or not it is even turned on. 

Drunk driving with these added stimuli actually increase your level of impairment. Boat drinking and driving is not a good idea because with these stimuli, you are more impaired than you may think even if you have only had a few drinks. Thus, your normal levels of intoxication are suddenly much harder to deal with. 

Increased Danger

Let’s say something does happen while you are drunk and driving a boat and you end up in the water. This could be because you have fallen off the deck or because your boat for some reason went down, or maybe you decided to take a night swim forgetting how cold the water would be. The levels of alcohol in your blood could add to your disorientation and make it harder for you to swim against whatever currents are happening. If someone else is drunk driving while you are in the water, you need to be careful that they are aware of where you are.  

Boating drunk driving by anyone could lead to this situation even if you are not the one driving. The people on board might jump in to help you, or you might be one of the people drinking who then is forced to swim because the driver was drunk. None of these possibilities are good; it is best to avoid boating drinking and driving altogether.  

Drunk driving in a boat is a very bad idea and it is pretty obvious why. Not only do the outdoor conditions increase the amount of disorientation and the general effect of alcohol on your body, but the danger involved is very great when you are dealing with cold waters. It is best to avoid drunk driving in a boat at all costs and make sure that the driver of any boat you are getting on is not planning on getting drunk and driving.