[cabco]

NEW PENALTIES FOR DIRECTING LASERS AT PLANES PASS THE PARLIAMENT

People who irresponsibly direct laser devices at planes will soon face tough new penalties with the passing of a Bill in the Federal Parliament today which provides for up to two years imprisonment or fines of up to $5,500, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, said.

Mr Vaile said since 2006, there had been over 170 reports of laser lights being directed at aircraft, with the number of incidents increasing.

"There are a range of legitimate uses for laser light devices but when they are used to target aircraft they are a major safety concern," Mr Vaile said.

"A laser light directed into the cabin of an aircraft can impair a pilot's vision at a critical moment.

"To ensure that appropriate offences exist to deal with people who interfere with aircraft, the Government introduced the Aviation Legislation Amendment (2007 Measures No. 1) Bill 2007 into the Parliament in June.

"This Bill amends the Civil Aviation Act to make it an offence to threaten the safety of an aircraft from off the aircraft. The penalty can be imprisonment for up to two years.

"The Bill also amends the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 to enable regulations to be made to create offences for acts committed off an airport that disrupt the operation of a security controlled airport. Penalties of up to $5,500 will apply to these offences.

"Today the Bill has passed the Parliament and it will soon become law."
Mr Vaile said the new penalties would send a strong message that directing laser lights at planes was unacceptable and dangerous.

"The Liberal/Nationals Government regards airline passenger safety as paramount and that's why we've taken this step," Mr Vaile said.

"I remind people with laser emitting devices to use them responsibly. If they don't, they will soon face stiff new penalties.


Tony

[simongr]

Now if only they would focus on this sort of law rather than liquid bans - life would be a lot easier

[NM]

How does this apply to people in planes that irresponsibly point lasers at people on the ground, as happened the other week when an RAAF F18 "targeted" a car at an intersection with a weapons guidance laser?

[codash1099]

$5500 for endangering the lives of maybe 400 people? How does that act as a deterrent?

And how do the new laws improve the prospects of actually catching the offenders? This looks like more governmental window dressing.

[simongr]

But it will make people FEEL safer and that is all that counts when it comes to voting (hence the liquid ban).

Also a few other considerations - $5500 is probably a lot of money to the little scamps that do this so maybe is a bit ofa deterrent.

[Nathan75]

Originally Posted by cabco

"A laser light directed into the cabin of an aircraft can impair a pilot's vision at a critical moment.

I can understand the critical moments of taking off and landing but what others are there.

Maybe when they reach for the coffee that the hostee brings them while bi*ching betty is doing all the work. (i'm going to cop it now)