What is a major contributor to boating accidents and fatalities?

Alcohol is a significant contributor to boating accidents and fatalities due to its impairing effects on a person's ability to operate a vessel safely. Just as it affects driving, alcohol can severely diminish coordination, judgment, and reaction times while navigating on water. When boaters consume alcohol, they may engage in risky behaviors, underestimate dangers, and misjudge distances or speeds, leading to accidents that can result in injuries or fatalities.

The prevalence of alcohol in boating-related incidents highlights the importance of understanding and adhering to safe boating practices, which include avoiding alcohol consumption while operating a vessel. Safety education programs often emphasize the dangers of boating under the influence to reduce incidents related to alcohol.