Politics & Government
Life Vests Required on King County Rivers
Temporary law to take effect July 1, and the goal is to save lives.
Starting July 1, people floating on rivers in King County will be required to wear a life vest.
The requirement will remain in effect until Oct. 31. First-time violators will be given a warning.
King County Executive Dow Constantine today signed the life
vest ordinance adopted late Monday by the Metropolitan King County Council.
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The King County Sheriff will enforce the wearing of a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device, or PFD, in the unincorporated portions of the Snoqualmie, Tolt, Cedar, Green, White, Raging and Skykomish rivers that run outside of cities.
The measure calls for a public education campaign to alert residents of the requirement by posting signs at primary access points to major rivers, and to promote life vest use in partnership with regional organizations focused on drowning prevention, says a news release from Frank Abe, director of
communications for Constantine.
