UAV lawviolators must be held accountable

Existing laws and regulations have specific clauses onUAVs, but those clauses are more like principles and thus hardly executable. For example, the regulation on the use ofUAVs, which came into effect last September, says: “When needed, the user of aUAV should co-work with the air traffic control department to evaluate the safety of its flight”.

But how will aUAV user decide when he/she is “needed” to co-work with the ATC, and how can air traffic controllers enforce such a clause?

Partly because of the lack of details and clarity, the laws and regulations onUAV management cannot be well implemented. Worse, even if someone is caught illegally flying aUAV, he/she can only be fined a fewthousand yuan and detained for a maximumof 15 days. It’s another matter that seldom is anyUAV user fined, let alone being detained, for violating air safety norms.

Besides, there is no credit record system forUAV users, and those compromising the safety of flights are not blacklisted, or banned from usingUAVs again. Given these facts, illegal use ofUAVs can be hardly prevented.

In order to end the chaos and restore order, the authorities have to draft a specific lawthat makes clear the rights and duties of allUAV users. The manufacturers, retailers and users all should be regulated, and clear standards set for the use of different kinds ofUAVs.

The law should also include a credit record system for UAV users and those breaking the law should be forbidden from flying a UAV for a certain period. Only specific laws and regulations on UAV and their strict implementation can effectively prevent drones from posing a threat to flights.

Zhang Qihuai, lawyer and vicedirector of the aviation branch of Beijing Law Society

SHI YU / CHINA DAILY