North Carolina First in Deadly Boat Crashes This Holiday Weekend. Calls for Safety Training Increase

Calls for boating training after 3 die near Charlotte

Posted: July 07, 2015 8:36 AM EST

Boating groups say the state should require safety education after three people died in boat crashes near Charlotte during the July 4 holiday weekend. (Source: WECT)

 

CHARLOTTE, NC (AP) - 

Boating groups say the state should require safety education after three people died in boat crashes near Charlotte during the July 4 holiday weekend.
  
North Carolina requires boating safety training only for those who were born in 1988 or later. The Charlotte Observer reports that North Carolina is one of 26 states that require boating courses based on the age of the person.
  
North Carolina had no training requirements until 2009.
  
The Lake Norman Marine Commission says training should be required for all boat drivers. Executive director Ron Shoultz says boat operators should be able to pass a test.
  
The Wildlife Resources Commission says 20 of the 23 boating deaths this year involved drivers who were 30 or older and were exempt from the current training requirement.