New Jersey Legislators Consider Bill That Would Prohibit “Drunk Droning”

Drunk driving is a serous crime to lawmakers, and now drunk droning is beginning to be given a similar level of attention. New Jersey officials have taken steps to introduce a bill that, if passed, will then regard controlling a drone while drunk to be a disorderly offense.

DRUNK DRONING MAY BECOME A CRIME IN NEW JERSEY

The bill, known as S-3370, passed the Assembly with 65 votes, and the Senate approved of it back in December. If out-going Governor Chris Christie elects to sign it, then operating a drone under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be enforced as a crime. A blood alcohol level of .08 percent or higher would be illegal, just as it is if driving a vehicle. The punishment would be “imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.” Using a drone to “knowingly or intentionally ” endanger another’s life or property, or to potentially harm wildlife, would instigate the same punishment(s).

The bill also strives to reduce damage caused by misusing drones in other manners. Utilizing a drone in a manner that endangers a correctional facility or first responders would incur “a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.” Similarly, using a drone to spy or “gather intelligence” on a correctional facility would incur “a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both.”