Drone Flight Ban: Measures to Protect Key Infrastructure in New Jersey

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed a temporary 30-day ban on drone flights over 22 critical infrastructure sites in New Jersey, including major cities like Jersey City, Elizabeth, and Camden. This decision, prompted by federal security agencies, follows a previous ban over two New Jersey locations in November. The surge in drone sightings has led to a dramatic increase in incidents of people pointing lasers at airplanes, which is illegal and dangerous. While the FAA and U.S. agencies state that most drone sightings involve aircraft, stars, or hobbyist drones and do not pose national security risks, the number of reports has risen significantly. The FBI in New Jersey has cautioned against shooting or pointing lasers at suspected drones due to the potential for dangerous consequences. The increase in sightings comes in the wake of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s call for more federal oversight on this issue. There are approximately 1 million registered drones in the U.S., making around 42 million flights annually.