MADD and South Dakota GFP Teaming Together to Promote Safety

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is teaming up with the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks to promote safe boating and ATV seasons, and to educate about the dangers of operating a boat, watercraft, and ATVs while impaired by alcohol or other drugs.

MADD South Dakota Regional Executive Director Veronica Hawman says there is not always the same mindset for Recreational Vehicle drivers in terms of choosing to operate them sober. But, Recreational Vehicle impaired crashes affect families the same way as road vehicle impaired crashes do.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, alcohol is a leading known contributing factor in fatal boating incidents. Where the primary cause was known, alcohol was listed as the leading contributing factor in 18% of deaths in 2020.

Additionally, a boater is likely to become impaired more quickly than an automobile driver, and even moderate drinking can cause significant impairment on a boat. The environmental stressors of the marine environment – motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind, and spray – accelerate the impairing effect of alcohol. These stressors cause fatigue, making a boater’s coordination, judgment, and reaction time decline even faster when using alcohol.

Hawman says it’s important to remember that operating any type of vehicle under the influence, on the water or on land, can cause traumatic injuries and tragic loss of life. 

MADD and the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks remind all recreation explorers to take  safety precautions this summer, including taking a boating safety course, wearing life vests, and getting a free safety check. They also remind ATV riders to take a training course, wear proper protective gear, and always supervise riders under the age of 16.Â