Lake Safety A Priority For Oklahoma Highway Patrol On Labor Day: 'Life Jackets Only Work If You Wear Them'

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is making sure people at area lakes are safe and following the rules this holiday weekend.

Two people drowned at two different lakes Friday and authorities say they were not wearing a lifejacket.

Troopers pulled over several people and checked their gear and one major item many people were missing was a noise device like a whistle.

Troopers want people to have fun, but they need to follow the law.

OHP Trooper Ryan Griffith worked on Keystone Lake and said it was one of the busiest Labor Day weekends he’s worked in a while.

“They’re glad to be out here, glad to have this nice cooler weather on this nice holiday weekend,” he said. 

Whether it's someone on a paddleboard, kayak, boat, or jet ski, he’s looking for certain things.

“Could you show me your sounding device?” he asked a kayaker.

Kayaker Alan Townsend was wearing his life vest but didn’t have a sounding device like a whistle, so Trooper Griffith wrote him a warning.

A ticket could have cost around $250.

“Especially after the drownings Memorial Day weekend, and two this weekend, there is nothing wrong with that,” Alan said about trooper enforcement. “Nothing but respect for these guys.”

Trooper Griffith said every person needs to have a life jacket, and it’s best to always wear it.

“I can tell you personal flotation devices are like seat belts; they only work if you wear them.”

He’s also on the lookout for those driving drunk, and patrolling to make sure nobody is stranded or driving too dangerously.

It’s all so people can have a good time on the water and be safe.

“There is no doubt in my 20 years of working waterways in Oklahoma, that presence is huge,” said Griffith.

Troopers are also checking to make sure boaters have other required equipment like working lights, fire extinguishers, IDs and more.