Four people were killed over the Fourth of July weekend from either boating crashes or drownings.

Being beside the Alabama River, we have summer traffic of boating that is something that we can use as an asset to our community.

With the asset of water traffic and use, there is also the safety issue that comes with it and with these tragic events over the Fourth of July weekend, safety has become a big talking point in our state.

Last year, AL.com reported that Alabama boating deaths were rising adding that alcohol and no lifejackets were to blame.

“By July 22nd, 14 people had died in boating accidents in Alabama this year. Another 22 suffered injuries serious enough to require treatment in a hospital,” wrote Ben Raines last year.

In a time where time on the water is a preferred weekend outlet, stay alert and safe.