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Originally Posted by ITD
Hmmm, Dave R. would like to ride on the autobahn someday, so what. Post #78, new member, 1st post, day before the vote, inflamatory remarks. Maybe the guy is sincere, maybe he's a shill from your side, I don't know. Saw the same thing happen over at another forum,guy going around with Fat Jack, I think, referenced on this forum, go figure.
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Just to quell fears and set the record straight, I'm firmly an opponent and I have no connection with any other forum members. I simply made a point in my previous post (regarding 100mph comment) that canoers and kayakers should act in manner consistent with their own risk tolerance and if that means staying out of the broads on the weekends then so be it. Again, my perspective on this is based on two factors: 1. my own self interest. 2. my willingness to accept a certain risk level before giving up personal liberties. My slant is based more on my second factor than my first because if people were dying on a weekly basis from speeding boats I would even favor a speed limit.
I agree education works as long as those being educated actually care. Those who don't care never will, and no law - be it a speed limit, a safe passing distance, or some other measure - will serve to protect responsible boaters from these people.
To be quite frank, I don't have a boat that goes much faster than 45mph, but I do have 2 jetskis that do 70MPH and I don't particular want to lose my right to do 50,60,70 mph. I have never been cited by marine patrol and consider myself a very safe boater who knows the laws of the lake. Why should I and other responsible individuals like me be penalized by a speed limit? To reduce the fear of others of fast moving boats? We all have phobias, if fast boats are your phobia then stay off the lake.
If it were obvious a speed limit would reduce fatalities then maybe I'd reconsider, but up until now I've seen no evidence from supporters that this is the case. What I have seen is supports bicker over the estimated speed of a boat that was involved in the only fatality in the last 5 years that occured at a speed possibly higher than the proposed speed.
I hate to see posts that equate boating to driving for the purpose of justifying a speed limit because they are non-comparable. I previously mentioned driving in relation to risk tolerance by making the point that many more people are killed annually on NH roads than on NH lakes, yet there isn't nearly as much support to reduce speed limits on highways. What's interesting is that more people usually die in the winter on Winnipesaukee in either snowmobiling accidents or ice house accidents than during the summer, yet again there is little support by unbiased "safety" proponents to pass laws that prevent people from going on the lake in the winter. Why? Because these deaths are usually the result of stupidity and as we all know only Darwinian evolution will solve that problem.
Us opponents should all band together, pool some money, and sure up opposition by buying those senators who actually may favor this bill a 40' Fountain...maybe that would sway their vote.