British authorities got a lot of tougher on those who shine green lasers at planes with the publication of the Laser Misuse (Vehicles) Bill yesterday as reported by the Gov.uk website. Apart from planes, the bill expands the coverage the number of vehicles, with the inclusion of trains, buses, boats, and hovercrafts. Also, the bill will make it easier to prosecute offenders as the need to prove intention to endanger a vehicle is removed.
Once found guilty, the offender faces a jail time of five years and the cap on the amount of fines that offenders will have to pay has been removed. Existing rules cap the fines at £2,500 and with the removal of the cap, can pave the way for more substantial fines which can be used alone or alongside jail time.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority, they have received 1,258 laser incidents with Heathrow Airport being the location where more incidents were reported. Heathrow Airport is the second busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger traffic, and the busiest airport in Europe. If a pilot loses control of a plane when blinded by laser especially during take-off and landing it can have catastrophic consequences.
Aviation Minister, Baroness Sugg said, “Lasers can dazzle, distract or blind those in control of a vehicle, with serious and potentially even fatal consequences. The government is determined to protect pilots, captains, drivers and their passengers and take action against those who threaten their safety.”
National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Lasers, Commander Simon Bray, welcomes the powers the bill affords to law enforcement saying that, “Recklessly shining a laser at an aircraft or another moving vehicle is deeply irresponsible and dangerous. By causing a distraction or, in some cases, short or long-term eye damage, laser attacks can lead to catastrophic incidents. These new and robust measures send a clear message to perpetrators: laser attacks are a crime and serious consequences will follow from committing this offence.
Bray further added that, “It is essential that the police have the powers required to support these measures and we will continue to work with the government to ensure that these powers are in place.”
Airsofters in the UK will have to take note of the changes in the law and be aware of the severe penalties in place. Using lasers in airsoft games is not banned in the UK but airsofters will have to be more responsible in their use, preventing them used for malicious purposes such as shining them at vehicles.
Top photo source:FAA (U.S.)