MIKE BRAUN Holiday highlights road, water safety

Safety on the road and in the water is the watchword for Ohio drivers and boaters starting this holiday weekend.
First off, at selected state parks, the Park Safe traffic enforcement program goes into effect with the Memorial Day weekend, which began Friday.
Those who get out to a baker's dozen of the Buckeye State's top parks will see an increased law enforcement presence through Sunday.
Timed to coincide with the statewide "Click It or Ticket" seat-belt enforcement campaign, the Park Safe program also stresses responsible driving habits, including watching speed limits and avoiding drunken driving.
In Northeastern Ohio, parks taking part include Lake Milton in Mahoning County, Mosquito Lake in Trumbull County, West Branch in Portage County, and Portage Lakes in Summit County. Other parks taking part include Alum Creek in Delaware County, Buck Creek in Clark County, Caesar Creek in Warren County, Cleveland Lakefront in Cuyahoga County, East Fork in Clermont County, Hueston Woods in Butler and Preble counties, Maumee Bay in Lucas County, Mohican in Richland and Ashland counties, and Salt Fork in Guernsey County.
A similar effort will take place during the second and third weeks of June as well as the July 4th holiday weekend, state officials said.
During the same program last year, state officials said, there were nine arrests for driving while intoxicated, 346 citations for seat-belt and child-restraint violations and 698 speeding violations.
On the water
State Division of Watercraft officials are also reminding boaters that this weekend kicks off a time when increased attention to safety and responsibility is needed on Ohio's waterways.
In a prepared release, Ken Alvey, chief of the ODNR Division of Watercraft, said: "The fact is boating accidents do happen, yet if the proper measures are taken, lives can be saved. We want people to enjoy Ohio's waters, and we also want them to return home safely to their families at the end of the day."
Among the top concerns for boaters are the use of life jackets and practicing safe boating.
There has been a decline in boating fatalities, according to state figures. However, not wearing a life vest can turn what might be a mere mishap into a fatal accident.
Keeping aware of your surroundings, water conditions and levels, the weather and not operating a watercraft drunk are all proper procedure when piloting a boat on Ohio waterways.
Watch the water
Water conditions can fluctuate, depending on where you are boating. For example, levels at several lakes in the area have been reported to be above normal. In fact, at Shenango and Berlin reservoirs, some areas have been closed because of high water.
At the same time, Lake Erie levels are predicted to be below normal this summer, so knowledge of where there might be sandbars and banks is important.
braun@vindy.com