Consultation to discuss safer use of drones across the UK

The Department for Transport has launched a policy proposal for the safer use of drones. It will include giving fresh powers to police forces to monitor and penalise offenders.

The consultation will look into:

This proposal builds on the legislation made by the Benefits of drones to the UK economy and The Air Navigation (Amendment) Order 2018, which highlights the necessity for specific drone safety laws and regulations. 

It has been suggested that the social and economic benefits of drones in the UK by 2030 could be as much as £16bn in net cost savings, adding £42bn to the countries GDP, with over 600,000 drone sector jobs.

Baroness Sugg, the UK’s Aviation Minister, said: “Drones present exciting benefits to our society and our economy, but with a small group of people choosing to use them for harm there are challenges we must overcome if we are to prevent them hindering the potential of this technology.

“That’s why we’ve already introduced safety measures like a height limit, and rules around airports, and today we are consulting on how we go further, including extra police powers and a minimum age requirement.”

A new law preventing drones from flying above 400ft and within 1km of aerodromes will come into effect on 30 July 2018.

Those breaching these restrictions will face penalties of up to £2,500 and could also be charged with recklessly or negligently acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft or any person in an aircraft, which can carry a penalty of up to five years imprisonment.

This consultation closes on 17 September 2018.