There is some amount of this regulation that is left for interpretation. A stray boat idling thru the water at 2 mph is still dangerous to a swimmer, especially a young kid.

The way I see it, there are three ways to avoid a ticket-
1- Wear the switch
2- run a boat that is 26' or longer
3- Don't Troll

BS law IMO. Just another excuse to get into your business. I will wear and comply but still think it’s just another avenue for them to write tickets

My 1982 Merc 9.8 (made in Canada) wasn't equipped with a MOB kill switch. The TPWD law I read said no retroactive refit is required. The original kill switch was horrible, and put in a very hard-to-reach location. I put a tiller extension on it, and have a momentary kill button on the handle grip, far better than the factory switch. I think any GW would OK my set-up. IslandJim

I don't think the GWs at that office can read or think. I just read my email from TP&W and that is not what it states.

^^^This^^^

Sounds like that GW isn't too educated on the new law

I agree! I probably won’t comply and if I see a gw I’ll slap it in my wrist lol

yep, same here.... What's ironic is the law would have not saved the little girls life. That tragic accident had nothing to do with a kill switch

http://www.propellersafety.com/14860/regulations/texas-media-misleads-boaters-kalis-law/

half of the idiots in Austin have probably never operated a boat

And into your wallet. That's really what it's all about. The geniuses that came up with this and those who voted for it need to be voted out of office at the next election.

I have always worn mine. Had a friend got thrown out of his boat back in the mid 90's while trying to catch his hat and let go of the steering wheel. Boat hit him twice. Second time wrapped him in the motor and killed it. 150hp at wide open throttle. He servived but it was a terrible experience. Took my old bass boat and had a kill switch put on it the next week. I hate it's a law because it is just common sense when you need it and when you don't.

Passengers aren’t going to be saved by this, bottom line

No, it's for the operator of the boat should they come out of the boat. At planeing speed and motor off, that prop is still turning. The forward motion of the boat keeps it spinning.

Another useless law. I can easily see the scenario of the kill switch accidently becoming unengaged while on plane and throwing another boater out. When pad boats fall off plane suddenly, they can react violently. Depending on how it was balanced at the loss of power, they can hook right or left. Boats don't have brakes and don't slow down real fast, even with the motor shut off.

If its your day, no amount of safety equipment is going to help, and its decided by someone with a lot more power than us.

For years and even now folks complain about seat belts, even today people weigh the risk and do or do not wear thire seat belts...
Texting and driving is illegal but I still see texting. This switch thing is the same thing, so you can either do it , or consider the risk, and not
do it...thats the choice we all have. I will follow the law, like it or not, I did it anyway out of common sense.
I remember all the hub-bub about motorcycle helmets, wear em...dont wear em, its my right to not wear em,...yadda yadda....so now
you dont have to wear a helmet, but it looks to me like most riders wear a helmet. Safety should always be the first concern.

Not kill switch related but I had a friend run over from behind by a buddy following him in his wake. Prop ran up the the length of his leg and stopped just short of the family jewels. Nasty scar and forever will walk with limp.

+1000

Same as a seat belt. We're going to fine you for not protecting yourself.. Haha... yeah

Of course they'll leave this up for interpretation by the GW. "Headway speed" will be whatever the GW says it is.