The government is to consult on new measures to prevent the misuse of drones, including on-the-spot fines and the ability to seize them if necessary.
The new measures are intended to ensure drones are being used safely in a market set to grow rapidly over the next decade.
Drones have the potential to bring great benefits to the UK, and with the industry predicted by PwC to be worth £42 billion to the UK by 2030, creating a blueprint for safe and secure use now is crucial to prepare for the future.
The measures in the consultation launched in July are part of a wider programme of new drone legislation and will shape the content of a draft Drones Bill due to be published later this year.
Proposed measures include:
- police issuing fixed penalty notices to those disregarding drone rules
- using new counter-drone technology to protect public events and critical national infrastructure and stop contraband reaching prisons
- introducing minimum age restrictions for drone owners in addition to the new tests they will need to take
- proposals for regulating and mandating the use of ‘apps’ on which pilots would file flight plans ahead of take-off
