The UK Department for Transport ran a public consultation between 21 December 2016 and 15 March 2017. The purpose of this consultation was to receive feedback on the Government’s proposals to develop the UK’s policy and regulatory framework for drones.
The consultation covered proposals in the following key areas: Stimulating drone innovation and enterprise in the UK; Ensuring safety and operation within the law; Laying the foundations for a developed drone market.
There were 678 responses received. Of these, 567 were received via responses to the consultation’s online survey and another 111 were received as correspondence submissions to the Department of Transport.
It is clear from many of the responses to our consultation that this opportunity and the potential for drones to make a difference is recognised across the UK, including the aviation industry, private sector, infrastructure providers, and the public.
It was also clear from the responses that the safe use of drones is universally recognised as a priority if the UK is to realise the full potential of drones, alongside strong concerns around security and privacy. These are challenges that the Government recognises, with many of the proposals in the consultation designed to help address those concerns, alongside the work that is already being undertaken across Government to do so.
The Government has announced some of the key measures that will be undertaken. The programme of measures is built around increasing the accountability of drone users.
- We will require all drone users of drones of 250g and above to register themselves, and their drone(s) too. The Government will work with stakeholders to consider how best to embed electronic identification and tracking capability within this registration scheme so that enforcement action against irresponsible drone use can be improved.
- There will also be mandatory competency testing, such as online tests, for all leisure users (commercial users already have required standards to meet).
As well as this, we are exploring:
- Whether to tighten rules around where users can fly certain classes of drones;
- Options to increase penalties when the law is broken
- The possible banning of the use of drones within the proximity of airports
- Reviewing the powers law enforcement agencies have to enforce relevant law
The full document can be consulted here.
Source: Press Release