A record number of drunk steersmen with excessively high blood alcohol levels is reported by the police in Agder
This summer, Agder police checked 1900 boat drivers in Sørlandet. For the third year in a row, the number of people reported driving a boat with a blood alcohol level above 0,8 has increased.
These are gloomy numbers. Promille and speed are often the main causes of serious accidents
This summer, police boats controlled the entire coast of Sørland. From June 1 to the present, 79 people have been reported driving a boat with blood alcohol levels above 0,8.
– These are grim numbers. BAC and speed are often the main causes of serious accidents. It is sad to see that so many boaters put themselves and others in danger by driving their boat under under the influence of alcohol, says the coordinator of the maritime service in the Agder police district, Magnus von Porat Fiane.
There has been a steady increase in the number of boat drivers exposed in Sørlandet for over-alcohol levels in recent years. In 2018, 60 boat drivers with blood alcohol levels above 0,8 were reported. In the summer of 2019, 64 boat drivers were detained with too much alcohol in their blood. From Easter 2020 to September of the same year, 75 boat drivers were reported to have driven boats with a blood alcohol concentration above 0,8.
The explanation for this increase can of course be that this year, like last year, we had a summer with a very large number of tourists in Sørlandet
- This is a disturbing development. One explanation for this increase can of course be that this year, like last year, we had a summer with a very large number of tourists in Sørlandet and a lot of traffic at sea. Nevertheless, we are concerned, says von Porat Fiane.
Despite another summer with an increase in the number of boat drivers with excessively high blood alcohol levels, there were no serious accidents in Sørlandet in the summer of 2021.
- We hope it's a merit of good sailing, not coincidence. Though we are experiencing more and more people having little or no sailing experience. We can see that most people are careful and pay attention to other sailors, says Fiane.
Record number of drunk steersmen. Police also imposed fines on 141 people for not having a life vest
At Agder, police boats were stationed in Arendal, Kristiansand and Mandal. In addition, the police had a boat that was used in Setesdal during certain inspections.
Police also imposed fines on 141 people for not having a life vest. 95 people were fined for speeding this summer. Very few of them were young sailors.
– This is probably largely due to the fact that the 10-knot limit for 9,9 HP has been removed for the youngest. We think it's great that younger ones can experience speed when the boat is level. Young people are at least as good at following the rules speed limits like adults. This requires young people to learn more about sailing, and that is only positive, says Von Porat Fiane.
