Swedish man becomes the first ever DUI case involving a drone
You can get a driving under the influence (DUI) charge in a road-going vehicle, a boat, or an airplane. However, you might not expect someone to earn a drunk driving charge for taking to the skies without being in the vehicle. It’s a case of authorities charging a Swedish drone pilot with a crime for flying his device while intoxicated at a classic car gathering.
A man in Rättvik, Sweden, made headlines by earning a DUI at a classic car event– with a drone
Swedish authorities made headlines by charging a 55-year-old man at a Rättvik classic car gathering with a DUI. However, the man wasn’t driving a classic SAAB or Volvo while intoxicated. No, he was zooming around the event with a camera-equipped drone.
Police in Rättvik noticed the man’s flying device while flying their own security and surveillance drone. According to The Pinnacle Gazette, the drone was “unauthorized” to operate at the area’s Classic Car Week events. It didn’t take long for authorities to locate the drone’s operator.
Upon testing, the man exhibited a blood alcohol concentration of 0.069. While that’s less than the 0.08 allowable for most American motorists, it’s much higher than Sweden’s limit of 0.02. Consequently, Swedish courts mandated that the man pay a fine of over $3,000.
A Swedish district court president, Karin Hellmont, held that the device poses a unique risk to bystanders on the ground. “It is an aircraft. Even though it is flown by itself, it is controlled by someone down on the ground and can fall from a high height and injure someone,” Hellmont said.
Sweden’s not alone. Operators can’t fly their devices in France or Spain at over 0.05 BAC. Moreover, Hungary and Romania insist that drone pilots remain at 0.00 BAC while operating a flying device.
In theory, an American drone operator could also get a DUI. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires all small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) to fly below 400 feet and weigh no more than 55 lbs. However, in addition to operating within all FAA parameters for UASs, an operator could get into serious trouble for flying one while under the influence.
You should never drink before piloting an unmanned aircraft, regardless of size. The only way to ensure that your faculties are sharp enough for flight is to remain completely sober.
