Quote:
Originally Posted by alsadad
...For instance, assume a boater is traveling at 70 mph in the Broads on a perfect June Tuesday morning (next year when the speed limit is in effect). No other boats to be seen except the MP and he gets a good radar reading of 70 mph. No silly quibbles about accuracy, cotangents, or any elements of the offense.
Let's also assume the MP stops the boater and issues a citation, and speed is the only issue.
Is the Judge going to accept the boater's argument that 70 mph was not unreasonable or imprudent under the circumstances and let him completely off the hook? Seems like a stretch to me, but that's just my opinion and I wouldn't want to bet my money or my driving record on it...
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Interesting scenario...and only the judge will know for sure.
But I also look at it another way. If the NHMP has the resources to dedicate several officers to radar enforcement on a quiet Tuesday in the middle of the Broads...then I am much less concerned about the one guy going 70 and very concerned about manpower allocation!
Here's the bottom line. The NHMP is stretched way too thin, both in manpower and money. Additionally we are talking about recreational boating with an accident rate that no matter how you spin it, is miniscule given comparison to virtually any other motorized sport or motor vehicle activity statistically.
Will the NHMP ticket some individuals next year? Absolutely. And it will be on random occasions and at a rate much less than most folks expect. Quite frankly, given the conditions, ranges and equipment and manpower available you would have to be a complete fool to travel at a high enough speed close enough to a vessel or other object used as an effective radar platform, that you would definitely deserve a ticket anyway!
My prediction? Regardless of intents or politics...the data already gathered by the NHMP will be shown as valid over the next several years.
Anyway, the media should soon be reporting that HB 847 will be going in to law January 1st. With that, I respectfully now bow out of the speed limit threads and thank the readers, whether they agree with me or not, for taking the time to read, comment and challege some of my positions. It has been a very interesting and informative debate, with but a few speed bumps along the way!
In the end I trust that all the great folks perusing these pages will boat safely and respect the rights of each of us to enjoy Winni and all NH bodies of water as if we were all family....
Thanks Don for your understanding, patience and great skill with the moderating sword....as usual!
Over-n-out...
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