Quote:
Originally Posted by Bear Islander
Woodsy
If HB847 passes will you be contacting the MP insisting they train more officers, buy more radar guns and set up speed traps all over the lake? I didn't think so!
Many other lakes have enacted speed limits without the sky falling. Lake George officials say that enforcement has not been a big problem since they enacted their speed limit.
Most people are law abiding.
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Bear Islander...
Why do you use Lake George as an example? You don't boat there! Why not use NH's own Squam Lake? Oh... Thats right although Squam has a 40MPH daytime speed limit and a 20 MPH nighttime limit, there has NEVER been a ticket written! Because the speed limit on Squam is a paper tiger, as is the speed limit on Lake George! I boat on Lake George, and its a gorgeous lake, but is nothing like Lake Winnipesaukee! I have PERSONALLY witnessed a 165MPH runby on Lake George... and guess what? The LGMP watched it too.. no ticket! On Lake George they don't have a 150' Safe Passage rule, so I can run 45 MPH 10' away and its perfectly legal! Most of the tickets the LGMP write are to PWC operators operating too close to shore (they have a 500' on-plane rule for PWC's close to shore). They also write ALOT of tickets for noise!
While I do agree with you that the majority of people are law abiding, if HB-847 passes, it needs to have teeth. So to answer your question, YES, I will want the MP to train & certify officers, set up speed traps, write tickets and attempt to have them upheld in court... and fail. Then perhaps the cost/benefit analysis will be apparent to even the most dimwitted supporters of HB-847.
I have always been of the opinion, nothing calms the waters more than the sight of an MP boat. Better funding for the MP, getting more officers on the water would make the lake far safer for everyone than HB-847... cost less and not eliminate a personal freedom enjoyed by myself and others!
Lake Winnipesaukee has a long and storied love affair with the speedboat... and you would take that away for purely selfish reasons! Unfortunately, your crusade really isn't about safety, thats easily apparent just by reading the NHMP annual safety report. HB-847 isn't really about speed either, as speed is a non-issue according to the NHMP study. Your crusade is all about one thing, and one thing only! Your dislike of speedboats and the perceived image of their operators!
Woodsy