Life Jacket Law

The recent epidemic of drownings in Eastern Washington has generated demands for stricter life jacket laws and stricter penalties. The state law is complicated with different requirements for different ages, different boats, and in different bodies of water. A violation costs the transgressor $76, far less than the cost of an emergency response.

I once suggested that those who choose to violate safety requirements should be liable for their own rescue. I was told my suggestion revealed a lack of compassion for victims of tragedy. The recent incident on the Spokane River involved 35 emergency r...