General Question

Cindy1302's avatar

Should I be doing something about this?

Asked by Cindy1302 (806points) March 21st, 2022

I live on the oregon coast and there is a lot of commercial fishing and crabbing. My brother in law goes out fishing sometimes and he says that when you’re out in the ocean all day rocking back and forth, it still feels like you’re rocking back and forth when you’re on land. He said that he’s heard of people getting pulled over because it felt like they were rocking back and forth and they were driving erratically. I feel like this isn’t taken seriously enough and they think that just because they are not drunk then they are fine to drive but they are not. There could be God knows how many wrecks because of this and I don’t want it to be my fault.

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13 Answers

LadyMarissa's avatar

I suggest that you choose to NOT drive for a time after returning to land!!! IF you’re concerned about other drivers, maybe you should work to have local laws changed to accommodate the same. I bet the law isn’t on the books because it is more difficult to prove the impairment was due to being on a boat & would cost MORE to prosecute than the fines would cover. Anyway, take that up with your local city or county council or state senator.

canidmajor's avatar

It doesn’t work like that. Spending a day (or many) on the water will affect how you walk on land for a short while, but driving involves enough motion that you are nor affected. People who spend a lot of time on the water can drive just fine, unless they are also affected by alcohol, or some condition that would cause them to drive oddly.

It has nothing to do with time spent on a boat.

I speak from decades of experience.

HP's avatar

The effect is well known and actually observable. If you ever watch a crew of sailors disembark from a ship, you can often witness the gait as they sort of rock, legs apart from foot to foot.

janbb's avatar

You seem to have an over-developed sense of responsibility for things that are not in your control judging from this and other questions. I suggest you find some things in your control that are in your life such as finding a job if you want one and leave the worries about other things aside.

Zaku's avatar

The Oregon Coast is mostly a pretty relaxed place, with not much driving difficulty at all. People who manage fishing boats off the coast probably handle a lot more physical danger from that than they ever do from whatever minor balance issues they may have while driving.

So I would say there is hardly any actual danger from it, and zero responsibility for you to try to do anything about it.

KRD's avatar

Tell him that he shouldn’t drive until the filling is lighter.

canidmajor's avatar

Really, guys, it only affects you when you are walking and sometimes sitting. Driving isn’t an issue.

canidmajor's avatar

And to answer the Q, no. You shouldn’t “be doing something about this”. There is nothing you can do, and there is zero cause for concern.

Jeruba's avatar

> I don’t want it to be my fault.

It’s good to think of the safety of others, but what other people do is not up to you to manage or control. In general, taking care of our own responsibilities is enough.

To judge from other questions, you seem to have an exaggerated notion of how big your fault can be. This would be a good thing for you to talk to someone about, such as a school counselor.

SnipSnip's avatar

It won’t be your fault.

Kraigmo's avatar

The biggest danger on the road is inattentiveness followed by aggressiveness.
People who are daydreaming, or who have their phone on their lap are a far bigger danger than sailors driving home with sea legs.
People who tailgate in traffic jams are a bigger danger.
People who don’t signal when turning are a bigger danger.
Slowpokes in front of convoys and aggressive speed demons behind convoys are a bigger danger.
Slowpokes in the left lane of the highway are a bigger danger.
To truly save a lot of life, pain, and suffering, help educate others about these facts.

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