Dangers of boating-drinking part of national ed campaign

Operation Dry Water is a national weekend of boating under the influence detection and enforcement aimed at reducing the number of alcohol and drug-related accidents and fatalities and fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol and drug use on the water.

It is always the weekend before Fourth of July.

Law enforcement is in education mode about boating and drinking. Photo/LTN file

Officials will be on Lake Tahoe helping educate people about the dangers of BUI.

It is coordinated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators — with the states, the U.S. Coast Guard and other partner agencies.

Curbing the number of alcohol and drug-related accidents and fatalities is key to achieving a safer and more enjoyable environment for recreational boating.

According to the most recent U.S. Coast Guard statistics, boating under the influence is still the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, with 17 percent of boating fatalities a direct result of alcohol or drug use.