Careless and Reckless Operation
Illinois law states that these dangerous operating practices are illegal.
Careless Operation of a vessel is operating in a careless manner that causes danger to any person or property or operating at speeds greater than that which allow the operator to bring the vessel to a stop within an assured clear distance ahead.
Reckless Operation of a vessel or the reckless manipulation of water skis, a surfboard, or similar device is operating in a manner that causes danger to the life, limb, or property of any person. Examples of reckless operation are:
- Weaving your vessel through congested waterway traffic
- Jumping a wake of another vessel when you are unreasonably close to the other vessel or when visibility around the other vessel is obstructed
- Waiting until the last possible moment to swerve and avoid collision
- Operating a vessel in a manner that creates hazardous wave or wake conditions while approaching or passing another boat
