As the hot weather arrives again this weekend, Oregon State Police urges those who utilize state wildlife areas, parks, beaches and other locations along waterways to not make critical mistakes that affect them and others on Oregon roads and waterways. In particular, OSP wants to remind those who recreate on the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area (SIWA) beaches near Portland, Oregon to enjoy their time with friends and family and to keep it enjoyable by making safe and sober boating and driving a priority.
OSP and local law enforcement partners will participate in a national enforcement effort this weekend, 'Operation Dry Water,' to discourage impaired boating and prevent alcohol-related incidents on Oregon waterways. Operation Dry Water is a national weekend of boating under the influence awareness, education and enforcement launched by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) in 2009 in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard. In conjunction with this effort, additional OSP and local law enforcement will focus the same effort to discourage impaired driving.
Important safety tips for warm weather recreating:
* Designated Driver (DD) - If you haven't worked out who will drive if you're going to drink; now's the time!
* Sun, wind, noise, vibration and motion --"stressors" common to the boating environment-- intensify the effects of alcohol, drugs, and some medications.
* Make it an Overnighter - couches or hotel rooms make great landing pads and are far more comfortable than a jail bed.
* Reach out for help - if you've been drinking or using marijuana you shouldn't be boating / driving. Call a cab, phone a friend or send for backup on Twitter - it may mean the difference in someone else's life.
* If you do see an impaired driver behind the wheel or operating a boat call and report it: 911
Here are links to operation dry water. First one is for media:
http://www.operationdrywater.org/awareness
OSP and local law enforcement partners will participate in a national enforcement effort this weekend, 'Operation Dry Water,' to discourage impaired boating and prevent alcohol-related incidents on Oregon waterways. Operation Dry Water is a national weekend of boating under the influence awareness, education and enforcement launched by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) in 2009 in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard. In conjunction with this effort, additional OSP and local law enforcement will focus the same effort to discourage impaired driving.
Important safety tips for warm weather recreating:
* Designated Driver (DD) - If you haven't worked out who will drive if you're going to drink; now's the time!
* Sun, wind, noise, vibration and motion --"stressors" common to the boating environment-- intensify the effects of alcohol, drugs, and some medications.
* Make it an Overnighter - couches or hotel rooms make great landing pads and are far more comfortable than a jail bed.
* Reach out for help - if you've been drinking or using marijuana you shouldn't be boating / driving. Call a cab, phone a friend or send for backup on Twitter - it may mean the difference in someone else's life.
* If you do see an impaired driver behind the wheel or operating a boat call and report it: 911
Here are links to operation dry water. First one is for media:
http://www.operationdrywater.org/awareness