Leave the Speed to the Professionals at the Alton Midwest Nationals This Year

If you enjoy watching flashy boats speeding across the water or just want to have some summer fun, you should check out the Alton Midwest Nationals. This event promises excitement but also serves as a reminder to leave high-speed boating to the professional boaters instead of putting yourself or others at risk of a boating accident.

About the Alton Midwest Nationals

The Alton Midwest Nationals is a powerboat event that will take place from June 21 to June 23 this year. Attendees will see professional boaters race across the water at speeds exceeding 120 miles per hour in six to eight races. Young competitors aged 9 to 16 will also participate, making it an exciting event for the whole family.

The Alton Midwest Nationals is a thrilling powerboat event taking place from June 21 to June 23. Attendees will see professional boaters race across the water at speeds exceeding 120 miles per hour in six to eight races. Young competitors aged 9 to 16 will also participate, making it an exciting event for the whole family.

The event schedule is:

• Friday: 2:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Saturday: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Held at the Alton Riverfront, Riverfront Park on Landmarks Boulevard between Henry and Piasa Street, Alton, Illinois, 62002, the event will feature various powerboats, including:

• 12-Foot Tunnel Boats
• F1 Powerboats
• Tri-Hulls
• Hydro
• 12-Foot Knee Rider Boats

You can enjoy food and beverages available throughout the event while meeting professional boaters and watching exciting races.

What are the dangers of speeding or racing against your friends on a boat?

While the event showcases high-speed boating, it’s crucial to understand the risk of attempting such speeds yourself. Speeding or racing on a boat can lead to collisions, severe injuries, and even fatalities. Here are some dangers:

• It increases the risk of a boating accident: Speeding or racing your friends on a boat can drastically increase the risk of a boating accident. This is because you and your friends are acting in a careless and reckless manner, which means that you are more likely to make mistakes, disregard other people’s safety, and cause a crash.
• It can make you more prone to severe injuries and boat damage: High-speed collisions involve greater force, leading, serious boat damage, life-altering injuries, and even fatalities are likely to occur.
• It reduces your ability to control or maneuver the boat: High speeds reduce maneuverability, making it difficult to avoid hazards or stop in time, no matter what type of vehicle you’re operating. This could cause you or your passengers to fall or even be thrown overboard, resulting in life-threatening injuries.
• It decreases your reaction times: Fast speeds slower reaction times, making it harder to respond to sudden obstacles or changes in the environment.

Reasons why speeding on a boat is dangerous to those in the water

Speeding is not just risky for boat occupants; it’s also dangerous for swimmers:

• Their body lacks any type of protection against the boat: Although swimmers may wear a life vest or life jacket, they do not have any other type of protection, they lack protection against boat collisions, often leading to severe or fatal injuries.
• They may come into contact with the propeller: When a boat collides with a swimmer, they may end up underneath the boat, which is where the propeller is usually located. The propeller is an important element of the boat, transferring the engine’s power to the water. However, when a person comes into contact with a boat propeller, the consequences are almost always severe or fatal. Propellers are very sharp and move very fast, which can cut or sever a person’s hands, feet, arms, legs, face, or other parts of the body.
• They are at risk of drowning: When a swimmer is struck by a boat, they may be knocked unconscious, causing them to go under the water. If they are not brought above water, rescued, and given the necessary medical treatment as quickly as possible, they may drown. Drownings are very common after a boat-on-swimmer crash.
• They are at risk of serious injuries or death: Some of the serious injuries that swimmers may suffer after being hit by a boat are traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, facial and dental injuries, abdominal injuries, chest injuries, internal bleeding, internal organ damage, paralysis, whiplash, and more.

If you have been involved in a boating accident, whether as an operator, passenger, or swimmer, Glisson Law will fight for your rights and ensure that the at-fault boat operator or party is held accountable for their negligence. These collisions are often disastrous and devastating, which is why it is important to hold the liable parties responsible for their reckless and careless actions. With over three decades of experience in helping injury victims, our Alton-based boat accident lawyer  will evaluate your claim and ensure that you receive the best results possible based on your circumstances. Please call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a consultation at no cost to you today. Proudly serving Belleville, Edwardsville, Springfield, St. Clair and Madison Counties, all of Southwestern Illinois, and Missouri.