From UAS VISION
Two California lawmakers have introduced two separate bills this week that would further regulate drones in America’s most populous state. If passed, one of the new state laws would require “tiny physical or electronic license plates” and inexpensive insurance, among other requirements. A second bill would compel drone pilots who are involved in incidents that damage property or injure people to leave their contact information—similar to what drivers must do following auto accidents.
The proposed laws are in response to a series of unfortunate mishaps involving drones across the Golden State in 2015: there were some unmanned aerial vehicles that got in the way of firefighting efforts, while another crashed into power lines in Hollywood, and yet another hit a baby in Pasadena.
The first bill, which was authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Glendale), would require drone pilots to hold “inexpensive ($1, or so) insurance policies sold at the point-of-sale”—a press release compared it to automobile insurance.
Gatto’s bill, which has yet to be formally introduced with actual legislative text in the state assembly, would also require that all GPS-enabled drones “of a certain size” have an “automatic shut-off technology that would activate if approaching an airport.”
“I think 2015 showed us that in the era of democratized aviation, certain types of incidents will be fairly common,” he told Ars. “More and more people are buying these and that’s great. This is just like the 1920s when more and more people were buying cars, but I just think that we need some basic rules going forward.”
He expects the bill to be introduced next week.The second bill, written by Assembly member Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park), aims to counter “hit and run” drone accidents by ordering drone pilots to leave their identifying information in a conspicuous place at the scene of the accident.”Unfortunately, as the number of drones in the air will only increase in the coming years, we are going to see more and more accidents,” Chau said in a statement. “And even with world-class safety features and training, accidents are still going to happen, just like on our roadways. If a drone breaks down, runs out of power or crashes into something, the operator needs to do the responsible thing and come forward and identify himself to the victim and to the police. This bill will make that responsibility the law.”
Full article here
Comments
Gary McCray has it 100% correct. Another way to look at it is 10 people a day drown in pools or lakes. But a drown hit a power line and a kid every one panic.
In regards to 'Gatto's bill' {I've posted the same text on MilutiRotorForums.}
This is what's going on behind the scenes. Always follow the money.
https://www.yahoo.com/tech/exclusive-amazon-reveals-details-about-1...
Unfortunately,
The public and the politicians and the media have essentially created a new type of entity.
The "DRONE" and in so doing separated it from all other consumer products.
These are not reasonable or rational laws based on experience and actual need, but rather are based on media hype and hysteria.
Bicycles are involved in thousands of accidents every year and they don't have to have insurance, once again, there is no proportion and the reaction is completely out of line with the actual expreienced or likely danger.
A bicycle rider gets killed on a highway it probably even won't make the front page of the local paper, but somebody gets a cut from a Phantom and it makes the national news.
Lets also not forget that with the new equally over the top FAA registration requirement, the information will already be available, so Chau's claim is utterly redundant.
I think I was born on the wrong planet sometimes.
Inexpensive $1 drone' s pilot's insurance per day
makes it another drone tax.
Automatic shut-down technology should be discussed at DIYDrones and DIY websites since Flight Termination System (FTS) is already implemented and undder control in case of passenger aircraft.
Not sure how automatic shut-down should work in case of small model
drones.
Can DIY 3DR implement Automatic Shut-Down (ASD) into new firmaware ?
The first bill, which was authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Glendale), would require drone pilots to hold “inexpensive ($1, or so) insurance policies sold at the point-of-sale”—a press release compared it to automobile insurance.
Gatto’s bill, which has yet to be formally introduced with actual legislative text in the state assembly, would also require that all GPS-enabled drones “of a certain size” have an “automatic shut-off technology that would activate if approaching an airport.”
it s a joke! you can buy almost all kind of firearms but you need a license for drone in you country..it s so crazy lol
It is probably only a matter of time before more States follow California's lead requiring hobby sUAS operators to license their drones for operation within their home State and carry liability insurance much like the owners of cars do.
Regards,
TCIII AVD