Rein in unregulated drones

Duck! The drones, it is quite clear, are out of the barn. And true to the idiom, Congress is belatedly trying to close the door.

From the White House to quite possibly your house, dozens and dozens of reports of dangerous drone incidents are piling up. Among the scarier examples: On Aug. 9, pilots on four airliners spotted an unmanned craft as they approached Newark Liberty International Airport, Bloomberg News reported. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration in recent weeks received dozens of reports about drones too close to aircraft fighting California wildfires and near-collisions over airports in New York, Minneapolis and Austin, Texas.

Flying a drone near an airliner, or the White House for that matter, is what we expect of terrorists. But so far, the drone craziness can be traced to “hobbyists” or “recreationists.”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“Without common sense rules, I believe it’s only a matter of time before there’s a tragic accident,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California. She and other lawmakers want regulators to revise existing law to plug a loophole that spares recreational drones from regulations, Bloomberg reported. They are also are seeking the use of software that would prevent drones from flying in prohibited areas.

Currently, drone operators fall under voluntary education campaign run by the drone industry and the FAA. Which obviously isn’t working. (While sales of drones continue to soar.)

Other examples documented by The Washington Post: A drone used to smuggle drugs into an Ohio prison; a drone smashed against a Cincinnati skyscraper; a runaway two-pound drone struck a woman at a gay pride parade in Seattle, knocking her unconscious; a drone buzzed into a crowd at an outdoor festival in Albuquerque,, injuring a bystander; in Tampa, a drone reportedly stalked a woman outside a downtown bar before crashing into her car; and a Connecticut man posted an Internet video of a drone he had armed with a handgun, firing shots by remote control. Local police and the FAA determined that no laws had been broken.

On the other hand, it is against the law to shoot a drone, even when it hovers over your private property, as more than one person has discovered. (Although firefighters were definitely within their rights when they tried to drown a drone flying over a house fire.)

The Department of Homeland Security said it had recorded more than 500 incidents since 2012 in which rogue drones hovered over “sensitive sites and critical installations,” such as military bases and nuclear plants, The Post reported.

Meanwhile, scientists are concerned drones are stressing out wildlife. Just as they are stressing out and/or endangering humans. Yes, Congress, better late than never, bring on the common sense drone laws.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

A visitor takes in the view of Twin Lakes from a second floor unit at Housing Hope’s Twin Lakes Landing II Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: Housing Hope’s ‘Stone Soup’ recipe for community

With homelessness growing among seniors, an advocate calls for support of the nonprofit’s projects.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Tuesday, May 20

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Douthat: What guides Trump policy is a doctorine of the deal

Hawk or dove, former friend or foe; what matters most is driving a bargain, for good or ill.

Friedman: The uncertainties facing Biden and the world order

Biden, facing infirmities of mind and body, still understands the mission of America in the world.

Comment: GOP’s tax cut bill is ill-timed for economic moment

If a recession does hit, it’s the lower- and middle-income who can spend the economy’s way out; not the rich.

Comment: AmeriCorps staffers were making America healthy again

A modest stipend for students was providing experience and value. Until the Trump administration fired them.

Wildfire smoke builds over Darrington on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 in Darrington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Loss of research funds threat to climate resilience

The Trump administration’s end of a grant for climate research threatens solutions communities need.

Sarah Weiser / The Herald
Air Force One touches ground Friday morning at Boeing in Everett.
PHOTO SHOT 02172012
Editorial: There’s no free lunch and no free Air Force One

Qatar’s offer of a 747 to President Trump solves nothing and leaves the nation beholden.

The Washington State Legislature convenes for a joint session for a swearing-in ceremony of statewide elected officials and Governor Bob Ferguson’s inaugural address, March 15, 2025.
Editorial: 4 bills that need a second look by state lawmakers

Even good ideas, such as these four bills, can fail to gain traction in the state Legislature.

Comment: When should judges have power to tell a president no?

Birthright citizenship is clearly law. What was up for debate is the fate of nationwide injunctions.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Monday, May 19

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Comment: Cuts to Medicaid will make fentanyl fight harder

Medicaid’s expansion is helping many get the addiction treatment they need, reversing the crisis.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.