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OT: Traffic Stops and Boating

I just read a court case in PA Superior Court that decided random boat inspections are unconstitutional. Most people would relate this to traffic stops where in theory you aren't supposed to be stopped unless there is a reason to believe you are in violation. I'm not sure boating should be handled the same way. Boating is a much more dangerous activity than driving an auto. It is hard to compare as boating deaths are not measured in miles driven while cars are. But with autos having single digit deaths per 100 million miles driven and boats having single digit deaths per

100,000 vehicles registered, I'm pretty sure the vast majority of boats are not driven 1000 miles per year.

My point is that unless boats can be stopped for inspections at will, it will have a much greater impact than with cars which in many states are inspected annually.

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Rick C 

Viewed the eclipse at Wintercrest Farms, 
on the centerline of totality since 1998
Reply to
rickman
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Probably has to do with who has authority over the body of water.

Reply to
bloggs.fredbloggs.fred

What is the purpose of the inspections? Maybe boat inspections are not needed. Some states do not have annual automobil inspections.

Dan

Reply to
dcaster

It would be easy to inspect as many boats as they like 'round here. Everyone seems to have at least one up on blocks in their back yard.

Reply to
bitrex

Some states stop boats to count life preservers. FWIG, they do "random" alcohol stops on the lakes, here, too.

Reply to
krw

The main reason for stopping boats is to check for adequate PFDs. I've seen a large number of boats stopped and receiving tickets for this and even seen tickets being given out for no PFDs on children.

The Federal Coast Guard regs require children under 12 to *wear* PFDs. Most states have similar laws. Virginia has such a law, but it only applies to waters already regulated by the Coast Guard or other Federal agencies. Here at Lake Anna the only laws that apply are state and so the Virginia law requiring PFDs on children does not apply! Go figure...

My other complaint is that PFDs are not required to be worn. They do you no good whatsoever if they aren't on you when the accident happens. This past Independence day weekend someone died when he was ejected from his boat because he dodged another vessel. If he had the PFD on he likely would have lived.

I've lived in states with no annual inspections on autos. The cars are not as safe as the ones that have annual inspections. Over the years I've read of a number of fatal accidents from safety equipment failures in MD and DC.

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Rick C 

Viewed the eclipse at Wintercrest Farms, 
on the centerline of totality since 1998
Reply to
rickman

A visible possible violation is enough to justify most instances that affect public and operator safety.

RL

Reply to
legg

Not sure why you say that. It is not at all uncommon that people are out on a boat and just don't have enough PDFs for everyone. There's no way the police can spot that.

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Rick C 

Viewed the eclipse at Wintercrest Farms, 
on the centerline of totality since 1998
Reply to
rickman

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