(July 5, 2008)—The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is urging boaters to be extra cautious on area lakes over the long Fourth of July holiday weekend.

“Typically, we see more accidents on the three big summer holidays – Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day weekends,” said Maj. Alfonso Campos, chief of marine safety enforcement for TPWD.

“There are more people on the water and it’s usually a party atmosphere. For some folks, these long weekends are the only time they go out all year.”

So far this year, the Parks and Wildlife Department reports 95 boating accidents in Texas, involving 51 serious injuries and 23 deaths.

The department says that compares favorably with 2007 when, during the same period, there were 119 accidents involving 73 injuries and 30 deaths.

The bad news, however, is 52 died in boating accidents in 2007, a four-year high in Texas.

“There are two things people can do that will really improve their chances of coming home safe,” said Aaron Reed, a TPWD spokesman and boating education instructor.

“First, designate a driver for the boat and for a safe ride home. It’s neither safe nor socially acceptable to drive drunk in a car or a truck, and the same holds true for boats. Second, wear a lifejacket. The new inflatable lifejackets, including the belt packs, are comfortable and effective.”

The department says alcohol is believed to be a factor in about a third of the boating fatalities in Texas.

Of the victims who drowned in boating accidents nationwide, 85 percent were not wearing life jackets, the department said.

Game wardens are boosting patrols over the holiday weekend, and they’re going to be busy.

Texas has about 4,900 square miles of inland water, more than any of the 48 continental states.

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