Drunk ‘droning’ could land you six months in jail – in one place, at least
There are plenty of activities during which alcohol consumption is near essential. Watching sports, fishing and spending extended time with your in-laws, for example.
However, if you’re piloting any kind aircraft, it isn’t really the right time to be cracking open a cold one.
That conventional wisdom didn’t stop a drunk man sparking a security incident by crashing his friend’s quadcopter onto the White House lawn in 2015, to use just one example.
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Although flying a drone while inebriated is already against FAA laws, the US state of New Jersey is about to become the first in the union to make it state law.
If Bill S3370 passes in the New Jersey legislature, blowing a blood alcohol level of 0.8% or more could land the offending drone pilot up to six months in jail. A fine of up to $1,000 could be levied at the grogged-up gadget fan alongside or instead of the time in the clink.
Draconian drones?
The bill covers a wide range of issues related to the flying of drones.
Pilots will be prohibited from messing with animals or performing activities that endanger humans. They’re would also be restrictions on drone pilots interfering with people hunting legally.
Elsewhere people with domestic violence restraining orders will be banned from flying drones in ways that would violate those conditions.
“The use of drones has increased dramatically in recent years for a variety of purposes,” State Senator Paul Sarlo told NJ.com.
“There are many benefits for commercial and recreational purposes but they can also pose threats to safety, security and privacy. The technology has outpaced regulations.”
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