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Some Cities Ban Booze-Fueled Floating Parties on the River

In 2007, Sacramento County enacted a ban on alcohol on a stretch of the American River, during the three major holidays of the year-the Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Labor Day.  That came in response to the fear that these waters attracted large groups of young partiers with plenty of free-flowing alcohol, contributing to noisiness and traffic jams on the way to the water.  There were also the safety concerns that arise when you have large numbers of young people gathered on the water, and no control over the flow of alcohol.  Cities around the country are planning similar bans.

The Colorado River has been the scene of some heavy-duty alcohol-fueled partying over the major holidays, and not all of these parties end happily.  Just last month, a California man drowned in the Colorado River during exactly such a party.  During last summer’s Floatopia, in Santa Barbara, 33 poeple had to be rushed to the hospital with sun exposure, alcohol poisoning and cuts.  Sometimes, the effects of the partying are carried over onto land with deadly consequences.  In 2006, a 19-year-old California man drank on his float, and then drove his Toyota into a pole, killing two of his teenage passengers.

Every year, the Coast Guard releases its annual report on boating accidents.  This year, the agency named alcohol as the number one cause of boating accidents in the country.  However, the Coast Guard doesn’t break down alcohol-related boating accidents into those that occur during floating parties.  So, there’s no way of knowing exactly how many injuries are caused at floating parties every year.  However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that alcohol use is linked to at least 50% of all recreational boat accidents.  California boat accident lawyers have always known that it’s a bad idea to mix alcohol and boating.  Add to that the effects of the sun as you float on an open raft down the river, and the consequences can be lethal.

Authorities in other cities around the country are taking action to clamp down on these parties.  In February, Commissioners in Clackamas County in Oregon passed a ban on alcohol at county parks along the Clackamas River in Oregon.  In July, the San Diego city Council passed a ban on Floatopia, 3 miles off the San Diego coastline.

There’s bound to be plenty of objection to these measures from young fans of floating parties.  Unfortunately, the fact is that the 18-to-25 crowd is at a high risk of binge drinking, defined as consuming five or more alcoholic beverages in a single sitting.  According to a survey by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 42% of people in this age group admitted to binge drinking at least once a month.

If you’re going to be out one of these floats over the holiday weekend, be careful and be smart!

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of boating accidents. Please visit our website at trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.

The Reeves Law Group is not representing any party in the matters discussed in this posting.

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