Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) has introduced legislation to make “reckless” drone flights near restricted airspace a crime. According to a report in The Hill, the bill, known as the SAFE DRONE Act, would make operating a drone within two miles of a restricted airspace a misdemeanor offense.
Boxer said the measure would reduce the number of drone flights that interfere with manned flights and efforts to combat wildfires. “Our firefighters and airplane pilots should be focused on keeping the public safe — not worrying about unauthorized drones that recklessly interfere with their jobs,” she said.
Right – A TFR around a TFR.
Barbara said: “Boxer said the measure would reduce the number of drone flights that interfere with manned flights and efforts to combat wildfires.”
It is already a violation to fly in restricted airspace and around wildfires, so, just what would more rules accomplish when the current rules are being ignored?
Can we pass a law to restrict Barbra from being dumb?
There are currently no comprehensive federal laws on drone use. The current regulations in use were developed to cover model airplanes, not commercial or private drones. There is a patchwork of state and local drone regulations, but those are likely to be overturned if challenged.
The FAA is in the process of proposing rules for commercial drone use, which it hopes to complete by the end of 2016.