Details about this story

• Source: Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism
• Date: July 09, 2009
• URL: Read the story
• Bylines: Jacob Kushner , Kryssy Pease
• Topics: Safety
• Data Types: State Data , Federal Data
• Description/Excerpt: Eight of the 20 people who died last year were in non-motorized boats, most of which capsized. Of the 17 who drowned, 15 weren’t wearing life jackets. And the percentage of boating accidents in which alcohol was involved declined sharply last year, accounting for just one in five accidents. Experts credit stricter law enforcement and a growing public awareness of the dangers of drunken boating. The Center analyzed accidents reported to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Coast Guard. The Center found: – Over the past 10 years, 193 people died in 1,311 boating accidents in Wisconsin. In the 110 accidents involving non-motorized boats, 56 people lost their lives. – July is the most dangerous month of the year, with more than a third of all accidents occurring in that month during the past decade. – In 2008, there were 110 reported boating accidents, well below the state’s annual average of 131 accidents over the past 10 years. That continued a fairly steady downward trend in accidents since 1999.
• Database or Graphic: Go to site (asp?AppKey=d2f91000f0e3d8g5b6e8d4i7d7i4)