Boating Safety Partners Encourage Boaters to Celebrate Independence With Life Jacket Wear on the Water

/PRNewswire/ -- Independence Day weekend is one of the heaviest traffic times of the summer travel season, and the water is no exception. Just as seatbelt wear is a natural part of driving to your celebration destination, routine and consistent life jacket wear should also be a part of all water activities during the holiday and the rest of summer boating season.

Independence Day weekend is one of the top times for boating accidents. By making sure everyone on a boat ride takes advantage of a life jacket by choosing to "Wear It!," boaters can take the No. 1 step toward greater water safety, according to the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC).

"Boating is a big part of Independence Day celebrations," said Virgil Chambers, Executive Director of the National Safe Boating Council. "There's no reason why everyone can't have fun on the water while also choosing to always wear a life jacket. Because the weekend of the Fourth may be one of the only times some people get on a boat the entire summer, every boat operator needs to remember to share the 'Wear It!' message."

Approximately 90 percent of recreational boating drowning victims weren't wearing a life jacket. Fortunately, life jacket wear is easy and convenient with a range of today's comfortable, stylish styles.

"A life jacket's not going to do any good unless you're wearing it," Chambers said. "But the bulky styles that may have discouraged life jacket wear in the past have been replaced by superior options that both feel and look good. It's especially important for novice boaters who are planning to take to the water this Independence Day holiday to be prepared: Do like other smart boaters and 'Wear It!'"

Life jacket wear by every boater is the leading goal of the North American Safe Boating Campaign, which kicked off officially with National Safe Boating Week, May 16 - 22. The North American Safe Boating Campaign unites the efforts of a wide variety of boating safety advocates, including National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), the Canadian Safe Boating Council and the many members of the National Safe Boating Council. The campaign is produced under a grant from the Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.

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Major Accident I-85 Southbound September 8 at 12:15pm

The Georgia Department of Transportation has closed all lanes on Interstate 85 southbound 2 miles south of Exit 47 (SR 34) in Coweta County, due a major accident involving a total of seven vehicles. Two of the vehicles involved are tractor-trailers. Injuries are reported.

Southbound motorists traveling between Atlanta and Newnan are strongly advised to use alternate routes until further notice. The accident is expected to be cleared by about 2 pm today.

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Governor Perdue Announces Filing of the Landowners Protection Act

Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that legislation has been filed that will limit liability for landowners who open their property to hunters and agri-tourists. Senate Bill 449, known as the Landowners Protection Act of 2008, is being carried by Senator Bill Heath, one of the Governor’s Floor Leaders in the Senate.

“Georgia is a prime destination for hunters and tourists who want to enjoy our land and farms,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “This legislation will prevent liability concerns from discouraging landowners welcoming guests onto their property.”

The proposal will protect landowners who allow individuals to hunt on their property from being sued for accidents arising during a hunt. Likewise, landowners operating an agri-tourism attraction would not be held liable for accidents or injuries that may occur on the visit. Property owners will continue to be held responsible for gross negligence, and they will be liable if they deliberately put people in danger. Governor Perdue announced the legislation during the Georgia Farm Bureau’s annual legislative luncheon.

“We want to encourage landowners to open their hunting property and farms to visitors to enjoy Georgia’s natural beauty as an agricultural and sportsman’s paradise,” said Senator Bill Heath. “The Georgia General Assembly is working to protect landowners and, again, stand up for the rights of private property owners.”