H.b. 162

[elly cover]

This proposed Bill affects lakes Winnipesaukee, Winnisquam, Squam, Ossipee, Newfound, and Sunapee. We should be aware of it.

[webmaster]

http://www.citizen.com/april_2005/04.19.05/news/laconia_041805e.asp

http://www.meredithnhnews.com/051905Speed.htm

[webmaster]

Anyone have updates on where this proposal stands?

[Ellypointster]

On October 26th, the committee studying HB 162 barely voted out for consideration early next year by the full NH House an amended version of the bill which would apply 45 mph day/25 mph night spped limits on all state lakes and rivers, not just Lake Winnipesaukee. Details:

http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051026/CITIZEN0101/110260053&SearchID=73225734699253

[BanZi]

Vote was suposed to be this week, no?? Any news??

[webmaster]

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=House+passes+speed+limits+fo r+boaters&articleId=9ca4fcf0-6066-42aa-b6ae-5709bdb7edc4

[Bob]

It may seem stupid but I don't even know how fast my boat goes! It's an older boat with a 90 hsp motor. I'm against this law. I would think if people used common sense there won't be a problem. I also haven't seen any major problems on Merrymeeting Lake that aren't covered under other laws. Have any of you?

Bob

[SailMML]

While I am not in favor of more government regulations, I would agree that this bill may help raise awareness of the need to follow the "rules of the road' while operating a boat. I have experienced numerous situations on Merrmeeting Lake where boats have been exceeding "headway speed" while being within 150 feet of either the shore or the boat I was in. This in effect is breaking the law that is currently on the books. If a speed limit is imposed, it has the potential to make these types of situations happen less frequently. I believe this was the intent of the state boater licensing program that started a few years ago.

In my opinion, this law is aimed at curbing the excessing speeds of personal watercraft as well as larger, faster boats on the bigger lakes. These are the boats that can exceed 45 mph on a regular basis. Most ski boats can as well, but most, if not all, waterskiing is done at a speed less than 45.

Bob, I would be willing to bet that your boat cannot exceed 45 mph so you probably have noting to worry about during the day. At night, everyone needs to use common sense.

I will admit that I prefer to sail, so speed is not necessarily my thing. But I do own a power boat and like to drive fast sometimes. 45 mph in a boat is fast enough, thank you.

[Bob]

You make a good point on the speed limit law and I agree the 150' law is the one I see people violating the most! I try to follow it and I've had to slow my own boat down on several occasions when other boats and PWC come to close to me to fast! Not only is it unsafe but also I'm afraid I'll be the one that gets the ticket!

Bob

[EagleTwo]

Sail,

I agree that the 150' rule is probably the most violated rule on the lake on any given day. However I disagree that yet another law on the books will improve things.

Certainly on Merrymeeting, this proposed law would have minimal effect. Given the size of the lake, it is rare that a boat capable of exceeding 45-50 is even on the lake (PWC's excepted as noted)

My issue with the proposal has been discussed greatly during the debates on the bill. I.e., how will it be enforced? The Marine Patrol has openly opposed the bill as mostly unenforcable. Everyone also seems to agree that they don't have enough resources to enforce the rules already on the books. I worry that a focus on this law would result in the other more effective rules being ignored all the more, while all concentrate on enforcement of the new one.

I'd rather see the time, energy, and money focused on improving the Marine Patrols ability to educate boaters on existing laws and on their enforcement.

In the end, are those supporting this bill willing to foot the tax increase for the speed guns, training, extra officers, and other things that will be needed to use it?

EagleTwo

[Saki-to-Me]

My gut reaction to this proposed law is that it will do little to increase anyone’s safety on the water. Boater education is the key to reducing the potential for accidents. Maybe a driving test like you have to pass to get your motor vehicle license. If safety is really what is the concern, and not some persons idea of what is an appropriate size boat or boat speed.
My wife just made a comment to me while I was typing.
She sees no reason why people need to go over 45mph.
To which I reply, “maybe they want to, maybe it gives them a thrill”. Just because she neither cares nor desires to go fasted than 45, she can’t appreciate the fact that some people like to.
If done in a safe manner by an experienced operator under the proper conditions-- then what’s the problem?
And why 45? Why not 40 or 35?
Sounds kind of arbitrary to me.
I tried to find a little inf. on boating accidents and I realize that this was just a quick and short search, but I found the following.

http://www.uscgboating.org/statistics/boating_statistics_2002.pdf

These statistics certainly show there are other contributing factors besides speed that lead to accidents, many which could be addressed with education.
Page 39 is interesting in that it appears that accidents drop off markedly after 40mph.

Hmmm.

Saki

[Ellypointster]

I would prefer that the limiting factor be speeds that are reasonable and prudent for the conditions rather than an arbitrary limit. Establishing the speed of a boat is going to be difficult, if not impossible, but I think we all know reckless and unsafe when we see it.

[Broad Cove]

Yes. There should be a law requiring boaters to drive safely. There is an issue greater than the inability to enforce this law and it has to do with the Marine Patrols reporting violations to the DMV for attachment to the offenders driving record.
I don't drive over 45 in a boat. Wide open the boat barely reaches that speed. I do have a Sea-Doo that can exceed 45. Suppose my son takes out the Sea-Doo and he's clocked at 50 and gets a cited. That goes on his driving record which will cause my auto insurance to take a huge hike. Residents of other States boating on MM Lake won't have this added penalty. Do you really think the insurance industry won't jump on this opportunity to make a quick buck?
If people speed on highways sure, they should pay more for insurance. Accidents are frequent and people get killed on the highway. There are cars operating at high speeds within close proximity to each other. Out in the middle of MM Lake if a Sea-Doo is all by his lonesome zooming around who cares. The driver is safe. No boats anywhere near by. Nobody swims in the middle of the lake without adequate visibility unless they are nuts. Why should I, a NH resident, have to pay thousands in insurance surcharges because someone in my household does something that is not really unsafe?