Labor Day weekend: California boating rules, advice on beating traffic

California State Parks is stressing boating safety with tips ahead of Labor Day weekend.

“Safety should always be a top priority when boating,” Ramona Fernandez, deputy director of the parks' Division of Boating and Waterways, said in a news release.

The state advises boaters to:

• Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Everyone should wear one that's the right size, California State Parks said. Nationally in 2023, 87% of drowning victims weren’t wearing life jackets, according to the Coast Guard.
• Take a safe boating course and get a California Boater Card. Boaters 60 and younger must carry the card while they’re on the boat. Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, boat operators of all ages will be required to carry the card. The Coast Guard said that nationally, 75% of deaths happened on boats with operators who didn't get instruction. The statistic refers to cases where the operator's education was known. The Coast Guard said 15% of deaths happened on boats where the operator had a nationally approved boating safety education certificate. For more information, see californiaboatercard.com .
• Check the weather and file a float plan before heading out on the water.
• Bring safety equipment such as life jackets, fire extinguishers and a sound signaling device. For more details, see the ABCs of California Boating .
• Don’t drink because alcohol affects judgment and reaction times. It’s against state law to operate a boat or water ski with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher. A BAC below 0.08% can lead to an arrest if officers see unsafe conditions, California State Parks said. Convictions can mean up to six months in jail and/or fines of up to $1,000. Two convictions within seven years can result in a jail term up to one year. Boats also can be impounded. Nationally, the Coast Guard said drinking was the leading known factor in fatal boating accidents. Alcohol was involved in 17% of deaths.

• Obey waterway rules on signs and be aware of local and boating regulations.
• Keep waterways clean. Bring back garbage, food and fishing line and anything else taken out on the water. Carry oil absorbents on the boat.

For more information, go to the boating division's website, www.dbw.parks.ca.gov .

Advice on beating Labor Day traffic in California

AAA has offered tips for motorists trying to avoid congestion during Labor Day-related traffic on the state's freeways and highways.

The worst traffic will happen before the weekend starts: on Thursday and Friday afternoons, said Doug Shupe, corporate communications manager at the Auto Club's Los Angeles office. He advises leaving in the morning both days.

On Saturday, it's best to wait until noon or 1 p.m. because many motorists will try to beat the traffic by leaving early, he said. He added Tuesday will be a better day to return than Monday and has other tips such as getting enough sleep and not driving intoxicated.

Advice on air travel over Labor Day weekend

Shupe recommended arriving at airports at least two hours before domestic flights and no later than three hours before international flights.

He also suggested downloading airlines apps to check on cancellations and making early reservations for spaces in long-term parking lots.

Dave Mason covers East County for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at dave.mason@vcstar.com or 805-437-0232.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Labor Day weekend: California boating rules, advice on beating traffic