Drones: Harmless or Dangerous?
In mid-December legislators in Albany County, New York held a public hearing to discuss the usage of drones and what, if any, limitations should be in place.
A proposed bill would ban all unmanned aircraft regardless of size and stature in Albany County. The bill is a response to concerns regarding potential risks to privacy, property, and safety.
While local officials attempt to define individual county regulations the Federal Aviation Administration is in the midst of implementing guidelines, including a recent stipulation: owners must register any drone that weighs over a half pound.
The FAA is expected to continue to develop rules and regulations to protect the general public from unsafe drone usage that could potentially result in personal injury or property damage.
“Public expectation for a safe aviation environment drives our very high standards.”
- The Federal Aviation Administration.
In 2015 a number of drone mishaps raised public concern:
November, 2015: A drone flying over a refinery in Union County, New Jersey crashed into a car.
October, 2015: A drone catches on fire and crashes onto Main Street in Sag Harbor, LI. Remarkably no one was injured.
October, 2015: NYC teacher arrested after crashing drone into a stadium during the U.S Open.
According to a report released by Bard College’s Center for the Study of the Drone manned aircraft (like commercial jets) had 327 “close encounters” with drones, of that 241 considered a “near collision.”
What do you think about current drone laws? Do you think that Drones present potential danger and risk of personal injury to civilians? Is the proposed bill in Albany County extreme?
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