NSW speed blitz
Operation Slowdown. But will the blitz really make a difference?Roads and Maritime Services has said it is targeting speeding during Operation Slowdown, a statewide operation which starts on Saturday (March 15).
Maritime Director Angus Mitchell said Boating Safety Officers (BSOs) would focus patrols on speed limit areas and conduct random checks of vessels in a bid to reduce boating incidents.
From our experience, however, these sporadic speed blitzes have no long-term affect on driver indiscretion.
Having observed a busy stretch of Sydney Harbour for more than a decade, we have found the speeding just continues when the boating officers aren't in the area. Fact is, there are scant few resources to effectively police speed limits on our waterways.
"All vessels must be operated at a safe speed at all times. It is essential skippers are able to stop their boat in time to avoid any danger, and to be aware of the environment in which they are operating by keeping a proper lookout," Mitchell said.
In the past five years, 1766 formal warnings and 1810 penalty notices have been issued for speed-related boating offences in NSW, second only to the number of penalty notices issued for breaches of safety equipment and lifejacket infringements.
"There were 50 reported incidents during the same time in which excessive speed was nominated as a contributing factor," Mitchell said, adding that skippers should be aware of their surroundings and keep a proper lookout at all times for obstructions, other vessels and people in the water.
"Just like on the roads, a person driving a vessel must observe traffic signs which means following any speed restrictions which may apply.
"Sign-posted speed restrictions on NSW waterways exist for public safety. Skippers should look out for them and travel below these limits.
Where there are no signs, a vessel must be driven at speeds which are safe and take into account environmental factors such as local traffic, vision and conditions.
BSOs would also be checking for compliance with lifejacket laws and carrying out safety equipment checks.
Certainly, we support compliant boating. Operation Slow Down will continue until Sunday March 22.
For more information on boating safety visit www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime
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