If you get a "regatta" permit at LOTO now (a poker run is considered a regatta by the state of Missouri), the Water Patrol mandates a 65 MPH speed limit. This was in part due to a few incidents similar to the video above and others.
That said, the spped limit is not always strictly adhered to by all the participants, but it does eliminate the very high speed runs such as Lake Cumberland that has no speed restriction. It also makes for a miserable day on a cat that doesn't lift out of the water until 90+ MPH.
It hasn't seemed to reduce the number of participants significantly, but those that choose not to run under the guidelines usually have plenty of choices of other places to go that day.
I didn't run the Shootout poker run for two reasons: The first being all the trash in the lake and I wanted to save my skegs and props for the Shootout runs, but also running around the lake at 65 MPH going from the same bars all day and not drinking anything really isnt a lot of fun for the driver!
Personally I would participate in a poker run without speed limits but you won't catch me up front trying everything to out run everyone else. I will save it for the shootout and early in the mornings when very few other boats are around.
I guess I'm old enough now I don't feel i have to prove anything to anyone but myself, so it's no big deal to me.
This was a tragic accident and I hope the families can eventually find peace.