Virginia over the last few years has phased in a boaters safety course that now Anyone operating any power boat with over a 10 hp motor must have in their possession a completed boater safety registration card.
I know it still does not get rid of all the idiots but it does at least make an attempt to educate the boating public concerning the rules of the road.
I have a canoe and it would be considered a very rare occasion that I would be operating such a craft in waters where large boats and bass boats would be operating much less be operating at high speeds. I use the canoe to get into smaller quiet waters where the big boats do not go. I also am retired so I avoid all waterways on weekends and holidays when it is crazy and packed and go during the week when I almost have the water to myself.