California passes bill to allow firefighters to down drones

[WoodiE]

California passed a bill that will allow firefighters to down drones that impede with their missions, as firefighters found themselves hamstrung and unable to deliver aerial water coverage for nearly 20 minutes because a couple of schmucks were flying their quadcopters directly overhead.

The bill offers "immunity to any emergency responder who damages an unmanned aircraft in the course of firefighting, air ambulance, or search-and-rescue operations" in addition the bill will also levy stiff fines and potentially even jail time for people whose UAVs inhibit an emergency response.

I find it a bit silly that bills like this are even needed as this should be pretty common sense, but at the same time this covers the firefighters butt when they decide to drop a few thousand gallons of water on it and the fire.


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/07/21/california-bill-allows-firefighters-to-ground-pesky-drones/

 

[SMaxxin]

It won't be long that you will have to register your drone so they can track down the owner in case this happens again.....and of course they will be a registry fee!

 

[hamz9561]

It won't be long that you will have to register your drone so they can track down the owner in case this happens again.....and of course they will be a registry fee!

And then there will be mandatory training and pilot registration with mandatory fees and let's not forget insurance and regulatory fees on that....