ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, May 23, 1993                   TAG: 9305200129
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

IS VA. BOATING LAW STRICT ENOUGH?

The National Transportation Safety Board issued a report last month, urging states to enact recreational boating standards. In the report, the board pointed out that the 924 recreational boating deaths in 1991 was the second highest number of transportation deaths - next to cars. Following are the NTSB's recommendations and how they compare to Virginia's regulations: 1. The mandatory use of personal flotation devices for children Virginia:\ No. PFDs are required to be on each boat, but there's no requirement that they be worn. 2. Demonstration of operator knowledge of safe boating skills Virginia:\ No. Boating safety courses are available, but not mandatory. 3. Operator licensing Virginia:\ No. 4. Boating while intoxicated law Virginia:\ Yes. Effective July 1, 1989, the BWI law is nearly identical to DWI law. Virginia is one of only nine states to have a comprehensive BWI law. 


 by CNB