UK Public Support More Drone Use If Better Regulated

Dominique Adams

22 January 2020, 04.01pm

80% of people would welcome greater drone use if there were more stringent measures in place to provide increased safety, security and monitoring, a report suggests.

More than four out of five Brits would support the greater use of drones by emergency services, according to a report commissioned by Vodafone.

The report makes a number of recommendations for overall drone policy while extolling the possible benefits that remotely controlled and monitored drones could provide.

At present, drones must be kept no further than 500 metres from view, not within 50 metres of people or structures and not within 150 metres of large gatherings.

One of the recommendations was the introduction of a “blue light” fund for drones in the emergency services and the creation a traffic management system to help co-ordinate drone flights with other airspace use.

79% of those surveyed were on board with the idea of drones being deployed to assist police, while 61% approved of drones being used for monitoring to help with environmental conservation.

More than two in five people (43%) said that they agree or strongly agree that drones can help deliver public services.

Vodafone UK chief executive, Nick Jeffery, said: “Drones can provide crucial information to emergency services responding to incidents.

“They can assess fires, deliver medical supplies and help businesses survey hazardous conditions such as construction sites, power lines and our own mobile masts quicker and more safely.

“On the flip side, rogue drones can pose security risks. By working in collaboration with government, the public sector and regulators, we can shape legislation to ensure the transition from a consumer toy to a vital support service while protecting our critical infrastructure.”

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Current drone policy has come under public scrutiny following a number of high profile drone incidents, including a massive disruption to the UK’s busiest airport following a drone sighting near the runway.

Such incidents have led to calls for tighter drone regulations, and in late 2019 new rules were introduced which required drone pilots to obtain an operator ID before their craft is flown outside. People who fly drones are also required to get a separate flyer ID by passing a theory test.

UK drone regulators have been criticised for being perceived as failing to keep control of the growing number of drones, which is set to grow as drones become ever more popular.