Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: How we ask for and get those pesky new restrictions

AMERICANS HAVE EVERY RIGHT to feel that we are overburdened with too many laws. Every time they turn around, a new statute, ordinance or regulation appears to hinder them in business, work, having fun or just plain living. Those of us who were born in the time frame that includes the years 1916 through 1940 can attest to the abundance of laws that have showered down on us from places such as Washington, D.C., and Carson City. Some of them make sense and others seem to be nothing more than irritants foisted on society by legislators who have little else to do.

Our rapidly growing population, faster vehicles, more deadly narcotics, deadlier explosives, faster firing weapons, easier access to cash, warped lifestyles and a hundred other changes have contributed to the creation of many new legal restrictions. Because laws can't be written to affect only those people who create problems, they soon become unnecessary irritants to responsible citizens who don't need to be restrained by them. It's a real shame, but the need for most restrictions is a result of the attitude and actions of but a very small number of people. Allow me to add, oftentimes the new restrictions do very little to correct the bad situations they have been designed to cure.

Right now I'm looking at a rapidly developing set of new laws and regulations that some personal watercraft owners are bringing down on our heads. Last year, the Lake Tahoe Regional Planning Agency began action to restrict the use of Jet Skis and other personal watercraft because of the problems they were creating for the clarity of the water in that pristine mountain lake.

Closer to home, at Lake Mead, an Associated Press story April 6 warned of the problems the rangers would face during the summer months. The story appearing in the Sun pointed out that "although alcohol and high-powered boats can be the most deadly mixture, the proliferation of jet-propelled watercraft -- small, feisty runabouts that hold one or two people -- cause the most headaches.

"Park planner Jim Holland says public surveys point to personal watercraft, or PWCs, as the biggest problem on the lake.

" 'The public has told us they are a real problem,' Holland said. 'They fear being run into by a PWC. When a significant portion of the public tells us that, it's a real problem.'

"Beverly Chandler, manager of the Lake Mead Marina, says people come to the lake to relax and many resent misuse of PWCs.

" 'It's like wanting to commune with the desert and having 15 off-road vehicles roaring by,' she said. 'The most danger with PWCs is with young kids. Some of them use them as bump 'em cars.' "

The personal watercraft problems have been heavy at Lake Mead this summer and just last week one and possibly two deaths were related to their use. Another two personal watercraft users were killed south of Lake Mead on the Colorado River. On Thursday, USA Today had its cover story from the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The story covered the national use and abuse of personal watercraft and a sub-headline said, "Zippy water scooters leave anger, regulatory demands in their wake." The story said that 27 states and 14 localities have attempted to regulate personal watercraft this year.

The lead in the USA Today story is an interview with sailor John McDowell, who says the personal watercraft are "like having a cloud of bumblebees swarm around your head. (The riders) are noisy, they're rude, and they ignore the rules of the road."

The article continues, " 'If you're responsible and know how to ride them, they're great,' says Las Vegas resident Sue Bartleson, maneuvering her craft through the 80-degree waters of Lake Mead. 'My kids won't like me saying this, but I think they should be treated just like vehicles.'

"Even disgruntled sailor McDowell concedes there's a place for the aquatic thrill rides. 'I wouldn't want to ban anyone from enjoying the beauty of this lake,' says the Henderson resident, watching warily as a Jet Skier takes off from a nearby slip at the Lake Mead Marina."

Personally, I envy those kids riding Jet Skis and wish I had owned one 60 years ago on the Mississippi River. But because of their growing number -- a million in our country -- and the number of accidents and bad conduct of some owners, you can bet tough regulations will soon be in place nationwide. That's the way we get new restrictions.

And whose fault is it?

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