Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Illinois Conservation Police are urging boaters to prioritize safety as Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Emphasizing the importance of life jackets and sober boating, authorities aim to reduce accidents on Illinois waters.

"Life jackets save lives, and the best thing you can do for your friends and loved ones is insist they wear a life jacket anytime they're in or near the water," said Lt. Curt Lewis, Illinois Conservation Police's boating law administrator. Statistics from 2023 show 70 reportable boating accidents in Illinois, resulting in 12 fatalities and 37 injuries. Notably, eight of those who died were not wearing life jackets.

In recent years, most boating accidents occurred between noon and 6 p.m. on weekends during June through August. These incidents often involved operators aged 20 to 40 with significant experience but limited formal safety instruction.

To address this, IDNR offers free boating safety courses that cover laws, regulations, and safe operation practices. Cody Gray, IDNR's safety education program administrator, highlighted their importance: "With boating season upon us, everyone who heads out to enjoy Illinois' beautiful lakes and waterways should make safety their first priority."

Boating under the influence remains a concern for authorities. In 2023, officers arrested 72 individuals for operating under the influence (OUI), though this marked an 11% decrease from the previous year. Two of last year's fatalities involved alcohol or drug impairment.

State law mandates that personal flotation devices be available for each person aboard any watercraft. It also requires individuals under age 13 to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when on deck or in open watercraft unless certain exceptions apply.

Lt. Lewis emphasized that wearing a life jacket is crucial for ensuring safety: "The best life jacket is the one you wear."