Let the summer begin (safely)

With another Memorial Day weekend behind us and some stunning weather in front of us, summer recreation is in full swing. If there’s anything winter-weary Alaskans can assure, it’s that the short summer season will not be wasted.

The weeks ahead will be filled with boating and fishing, hiking and camping, barbecues and parades and all of the outdoor activities Alaskans love. In Alaska, all that outdoor recreation supports thousands of jobs and has an estimated economic impact of $11.5 billion, according to governor’s office data.

Of course, getting to most of that recreation requires travel. So with road construction season also underway, it is critical to remember to be vigilant and allow for extra travel time.

Putting safety first is always a priority. But it is especially important when the volume of traffic is up and others might not be as safety-conscious.

Part of that extra summer traffic is motorcycles. According to state Division of Motor Vehicles statistics, there are more than 32,000 registered motorcycles with nearly 49,000 licensed riders.

Motorcycles have the same roadway rights and privileges as other vehicles and should be treated with the same courtesy. It is especially important to not tailgate a motorcycle and to watch for motorcycles approaching from behind.

Motorcyclists can help with their own safety by being properly trained, wearing helmets and eye protection, obeying all traffic laws, and generally being courteous and alert.

Drivers who prefer four wheels are responsible for making sure everyone in the vehicle is buckled up and that child safety seats are age- and size-appropriate. Alaska State Troopers and local police can be expected to have beefed-up patrols for drunken drivers and will be on the lookout as well for proper use of seat belts and child restraints.

It is also worth remembering that laws — and penalties — governing driving under the influence are the same whether you are driving or boating.

And speaking of boating, just as with seat belts and child safety seats in cars, life jackets should not be an afterthought on the water. Statistically, there’s nothing better you can do to ensure safe boating than to wear a life jacket.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the vast majority of recreational boaters who drowned were not wearing a life jacket. So the life-saving capacity of a personal flotation device should never be taken for granted.

State law requires that children younger than 13 wear a personal flotation device while on a boat. And there should be a PFD of the proper size for every person on board. If there isn’t, the Coast Guard is patrol area lakes and issuing tickets to those without adequate float coats for all on board.

There is much pleasure to be had on Alaska’s waterways. But they can turn deadly in a hurry, especially in Alaska’s cold waters. In a recent proclamation about boating safety, Gov. Bill Walker noted that more people have died in recreational boating accidents in the last 10 years than have perished in commercial fishing mishaps.

So a little training in boat operation, first aid, swimming and emergency preparedness can go a long way. It just might save a life.

There is plenty of fun to be had under the midnight sun. Let’s all enjoy it. But let’s be safe, too.