It’s almost officially summer and from taking a look around the county you can tell that most people have already started enjoying it.
It’s a time to get outdoors, travel and enjoy the fine weather. It’s great to see motorcyclists driving on country roads among rolling farm hills or kayakers floating down the Delaware River. These are times to be happy and enjoy life to the fullest - but we should all exercise proper safety and precautions to keep the fun times going.
As reported in the Democrat on Tuesday, public safety officials in the county are gearing up for a very busy summer. Alex Rau, E911 Coordinator for the county, reported that their call volume had increased by some 15 percent. The month of May saw some tragic incidents that resulted in loss of life.
Undersheriff Eric Chaboty reported that the Sheriff’s Office is making water safety a priority this summer. As more and more people go swimming or boating on our rivers and lakes, it’s crucial that we’re teaching proper water safety and enforcing rules that might help prevent some tragedies from occurring.
A 2018 Life Jacket Wear Rate Observation Study conducted by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) shows that among the 425 drowning deaths that year where life jacket use or nonuse was known, 84 percent (356) of the individuals were reported as not wearing a life jacket.
“These statistics make it essential to not only track the national life jacket wear rate among recreational boaters, but also to understand the circumstances and patterns in which life jackets are worn,” the USCG said in its study.
But safety doesn’t only begin on the water. With more drivers on the road there has been an increase in the number of motor vehicle accidents.
We encourage everyone, whether you’re starting out on a road trip or driving around the block, to take it slow and minimize your distractions. Put that cell phone away. Any messages or phone calls can wait. If you must use your cellphone, find a safe place to pull off the road so you’re not distracted while driving.
This is especially important given the increased number of motorcyclists, bicyclists and walkers who we share the road with during the warmer months.
District Attorney Meagan Galligan raised the issue of pedestrian safety during the legislature’s Public Safety Committee last week, emphasizing driver awareness as one of the most important tools.
All of us can practice proper safety techniques to ensure a safe and fun summer for all.