It would be a good thing if there were an economic downside to going out unprepared.

On the other hand, in talking to SAR members, there's a fear that people won't call when they need for fear of being charged to leading to a riskier rescue or greater injury or loss of life. In other words a person might wait so long to call that the rescue becomes riskier (worsening weather, rising water, etc.) or the rescue becomes a recovery.

Generally, when I talk to SAR volunteers, they're against charging.

Personally, I'd like to see a "complete idiot fee," but that's unlikely to happen soon.