The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), better known as drones, continues to become increasingly common in today’s commercial sphere. With continual advancements in their technology and capabilities, drones have become vital for a wide range of applications, including aerial surveillance and photography, commercial delivery services, agriculture purposes and more.While the safety regulation industry has made significant strides in introducing new guidelines and compliance standards for safe operation, compliance has yet to become a universal priority. Improper use and a lack of standardized accountability lead to public safety risks, as well as unnecessary (and costly) issues that can often delay further developments for drone utilization.
At Biokinetics, we are proud to support developments that advance safety and understand that knowledge is essential to promoting the adoption of the best standards of use for UAVs. Below, we’ll examine the risks associated with the illegal or unsafe operation of commercial drones in the hopes of spreading the importance of compliance to a wider audience. Read on to learn more.
Examining the Risks of Illegally/Unsafely Operated Commercial Drones
Before delving into specifics, it is crucial to note that the full list of risks associated with the improper operation of UAVs is exhaustive and ever-growing in tandem with new developments and commercial usage.
The following are merely a few of the top concerns associated with unsafe drone operations:
Threat to Public Safety
One of the most pressing concerns that regulators actively seek to rectify with compliance standards and best practices is the risk present to the public during drone operations. Commercial drones often need to fly over populated areas, and improper operations (including the use of units that have inadequate safety features) can lead to accidents and/or injury for unsuspecting civilians.
Whether being operated for industrial, military, or even retail purposes, drones carry the risk of crashing into people, vehicles and infrastructure, all of which can cause serious harm without the proper protection methods (parachutes, for example). Negligent operation, flying in designated no-fly zones or failing to maintain adequate distance from people or other aircraft can further exacerbate these risks and have disastrous consequences.
Damage to Critical Infrastructure
Commercial drones are extremely useful, thanks to their ability to efficiently inspect hard-to-access infrastructure such as bridges, pipelines, and electrical grids. While UAVs mitigate some of the immediate risks posed to humans by removing the need for manual inspection, improper use poses the risk of significant damage being done to these structures. Unregulated drones, for example, may have a higher risk of crashing into a bridge or powerline, leading to costly repairs or outages, and drones used in the industrial sector may even damage critical systems due to poor operational practices.
Interference with Aircraft and Airports
Illegally operated drones can pose a significant risk to manned aircraft, especially near airports. Numerous incidents have involved drones flying too close to airplanes during takeoff or landing, creating dangerous situations that can lead to catastrophic accidents. Drone operations in unauthorized areas can interfere with air traffic control systems and other aviation operations, posing a serious point of concern for regulators, pilots, and passengers.
Privacy
Another significant concern with drone operations is implementing and enforcing standards that address the risks posed to personal and corporate privacy. Drones are an exceptional surveillance tool, with many modern units equipped with high-resolution cameras that can easily capture images and videos from a distance. While this is highly beneficial for a multitude of applications, it is not without risk to the public. These cameras can inadvertently (or intentionally) pick up footage of private property and sensitive locations and can quickly become invasive to civilian privacy if they are operated without safeguards intended to protect human dignity.
Drone footage can be invaluable in industries ranging from the real estate world to military recon missions and even general land surveying, but it must be obtained with legal and ethical considerations in mind.
Hindrance to Industry Growth
The illegal operation of commercial drones not only poses immediate risks to the public but also hinders the future of drone development by creating unnecessary risks and animosity when it comes to the acceptance and adoption of UAVs for commercial purposes. While regulatory bodies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the U.S. or Transport Canada have established strict guidelines for drone operation with the intent to create a safe and predictable environment for drones to operate, bad actors consistently break the trust and perception of safety of the public and technological investors. In breaking this trust, illegal actions pull valuable research funds and focus away from pivotal advancement points, stalling development for all actors in the market that may otherwise be able to achieve significant benefits for consumers and businesses globally.
Creating a Better Path Forward with Compliance
As drone technology continues to evolve, there must be a continued push for the universal adoption of stringent operation regulations to ensure the safe and efficient commercial use of UAVs.
At Biokinetics, we know that one of the best ways to reduce the risk associated with drone flights is through the gathering and analysis of vital operational information. Backed by decades of industry-leading experience, our team offers full-scale drone testing and assessment with our Drone Safety Lab services, accident reconstruction services, ballistics testing, injury prevention assessment, injury biomechanics and more.
Contact our team today to learn about our drone testing services and our full range of testing and consulting offerings!
