Yes, we’re serious. Earlier this month, the Japanese parliament passed a law making it illegal to operate a drone while intoxicated – with maximum penalties including a year in jail or fines of up to AUD$4,000.
And the punishments aren’t just for those who’ve had a few too many drinks.
The new laws also mean fines for anyone performing “dangerous stunts” with their drone. Pilots caught flying the remote-controlled gadgets into a crowd could be hit with a fine of AUD$6,600.
Not to mention, drones also can’t be flown within 300 metres of any armed forces, military personnel or “defence-related facilities” without permission (like we’d even try!).
The crackdown seems to be part of Japan gearing up for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which will no doubt see some heavy tourist drone use.
But now we’re sure people will think twice before they take theirs for a spin.
