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New UK legislation to protect pilots from laser pen attacks
TIN news: The UK Government has introduced new laws to penalise people shining laser pens to distract pilots during flights, in a bid to ensure safer airspace travel.
Under the new legislation, laser attackers can be penalised with fines worth thousands of pounds or even a jail sentence.
British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) flight safety specialist Steve Landells said: “BALPA welcomes this move to tighten the law on lasers.
“Any move to give the police and authorities more powers to tackle this real and growing threat to flight safety is a good thing, and we are pleased that the government has included action on lasers in this bill.”
Under the new legislation, laser attackers can be penalised with fines worth thousands of pounds or even a jail sentence.
British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) flight safety specialist Steve Landells said: “BALPA welcomes this move to tighten the law on lasers.
“Any move to give the police and authorities more powers to tackle this real and growing threat to flight safety is a good thing, and we are pleased that the government has included action on lasers in this bill.”
"Shining a laser pointer at pilots or drivers is incredibly dangerous and could have fatal consequences."
Offenders shining lasers at pilots currently face fines up to £2,500.
However, the police do not have any power to handle or investigate the inappropriate use of laser devices against aeroplanes.
Under current laws, the police have to prove that a person has endangered the aircraft by shining a laser at it, while the new law states that police will only have to show that the offender was shining a laser.
UK Transport Secretary of State Chris Grayling said: “Shining a laser pointer at pilots or drivers is incredibly dangerous and could have fatal consequences.
“Whilst we know laser pens can be fun and many users have good intentions, some are not aware of the risks of dazzling drivers or pilots putting public safety at risk.
“That’s why we want to take the common-sense approach to strengthen our laws to protect the public from those who are unaware of the dangers or even worse, intentionally want to cause harm. This kind of dangerous behaviour risks lives and must be stopped.”
The new laws have also been issued to protect train and bus drivers against laser attacks.
The powers and penalties for the laser attack offence will be outlined in the upcoming legislation
However, the police do not have any power to handle or investigate the inappropriate use of laser devices against aeroplanes.
Under current laws, the police have to prove that a person has endangered the aircraft by shining a laser at it, while the new law states that police will only have to show that the offender was shining a laser.
UK Transport Secretary of State Chris Grayling said: “Shining a laser pointer at pilots or drivers is incredibly dangerous and could have fatal consequences.
“Whilst we know laser pens can be fun and many users have good intentions, some are not aware of the risks of dazzling drivers or pilots putting public safety at risk.
“That’s why we want to take the common-sense approach to strengthen our laws to protect the public from those who are unaware of the dangers or even worse, intentionally want to cause harm. This kind of dangerous behaviour risks lives and must be stopped.”
The new laws have also been issued to protect train and bus drivers against laser attacks.
The powers and penalties for the laser attack offence will be outlined in the upcoming legislation