NJ legislator wants to clip wings of drones somewhat

A New Jersey lawmaker wants to put some restrictions on the use of drones.

Sales of drones have increased 300 percent in just a year, said Sen. Dick Codey, and he believes they threaten public safety.

“With the US Open tennis match, they had to halt play because one of the drones crashed right into the stadium,” he said Tuesday. “Another one crashed into the University of Kentucky’s football stadium just before kickoff of their season opener this year. Also they’ve been flying over parades, crashing into crowds.”

Codey, D-Essex, has proposed limiting the range of drones sold to businesses or individuals to keep them from operating above 500 feet or within two miles of restricted airspace.

He has also called on the FAA to prohibit drones from flying over major sporting events and parades.

“We don’t know what they would be doing there. We’re in a new world since 9-11. It’s as simple as that,” he said. “So we’ve got to regulate these drones for the safety of the people of our states and our country as well.”

Codey said he is concerned that drones could be used as unmanned weapons and believes new regulations would help prevent serious harm.