Md. Police: Pilots Facing More Danger From Lasers

steve001 · Sep 10, 2010

Ok this is for all the people that receive brain damage when they sit on their arses. If you know someone that does this ask them to stop.

Reporting
Derek Valcourt
MIDDLE RIVER, Md. (WJZ) ―

Maryland officials say law enforcement and commercial pilots are facing more danger from blinding lasers from the ground.

* Ocean City Officials: Laser Pointers A Problem
(7/21/2010)

Maryland officials say law enforcement and commercial pilots are facing more danger from blinding lasers from the ground.

Police now have a warning for anyone who owns a laser pointer: you better be careful where you aim them. Airplanes and helicopters are off limits or you could find yourself behind bars.

Derek Valcourt reports pilots are now taking the offensive.

More plus video: Md. Police: Pilots Facing More Danger From Lasers - wjz.com

Related story:
Ocean City Officials: Laser Pointers A Problem

OCEAN CITY, Md. (AP) ―

Laser pointers are more likely found in the boardroom than the Boardwalk, but this summer they're selling so quickly that beach retailers can't keep up with demand.

Resort officials and police, however, say the green laser pointers, more powerful than their red-hued predecessors, are becoming a public safety problem.

"This year, it is out of control," said Police Chief Bernadette DiPino. "The Boardwalk is just inundated with these green lasers."

More Ocean City Officials: Laser Pointers A Problem - wjz.com

Samsun · Sep 10, 2010

If the planes happen to be the kind that are dumping white powder on us, well then it's only self defense

op:

HIMNL9 · Sep 10, 2010

Uhm, i'm starting to wonder how much these "reported accidents" now are real danger, and how much ones, instead, are just stupidity or misunderstanding, intentionally "pumped up" from media and police for have the excuse to bash someone .....

And be clear, i for first don't allow nor forgive idiots that *intentionally* point lasers to others peoples eyes or to planes with the purpose of cause problems, just wondering about the "rising" of the "lasers problem", in the form presented from the so-called "media companies" ..... and asking myself, "Cui prodest ?"

00Giorge · Sep 10, 2010

samsun said:
if the planes happen to be the kind that are dumping white powder on us, well then it's only self defenseop:

cocaine!! I have never heard of this, and shinning your laser at them is really going to piss them off!

RA_pierce · Sep 10, 2010

HIMNL9 said:
Uhm, i'm starting to wonder how much these "reported accidents" now are real danger, and how much ones, instead, are just stupidity or misunderstanding, intentionally "pumped up" from media and police for have the excuse to bash someone .....

And be clear, i for first don't allow nor forgive idiots that *intentionally* point lasers to others peoples eyes or to planes with the purpose of cause problems, just wondering about the "rising" of the "lasers problem", in the form presented from the so-called "media companies" ..... and asking myself, "Cui prodest ?"

I think the frequency of "incidents" is increasing still (not surprising).

Until recently, I thought that these "accidents" were 30% reckless behavior and 70% exaggeration.
However, I am starting to think that with the power/price ratio shrinking (already rock bottom for greens) the danger is real.
I'm sensing a lot of pressure from local law enforcement agencies to influence federal law.

I know for a fact that if I were to go outside to a public place and hand random joe blow a laser pointer, he would begin by observing the beam on the ground... on buildings... on people... and then inevitably he would discover the sky and the curious moving stars above him.

The sad thing is, most people do not understand the inherent dangers and/or they don't think that there will be consequences.
It is an obvious bad idea, but something about human nature (curiosity) makes it easy to forget about rational thinking and a hazardous instrument becomes a playtime gadget.

00Giorge · Sep 10, 2010

RA_pierce said:
I think the frequency of "incidents" is increasing still (not surprising).

Until recently, I thought that these "accidents" were 30% reckless behavior and 70% exaggeration.
However, I am starting to think that with the power/price ratio shrinking (already rock bottom for greens) the danger is real.
I'm sensing a lot of pressure from local law enforcement agencies to influence federal law.

I know for a fact that if I were to go outside to a public place and hand random joe blow a laser pointer, he would begin by observing the beam on the ground... on buildings... on people... and then inevitably he would discover the sky and the curious moving stars above him.

The sad thing is, most people do not understand the inherent dangers and/or they don't think that there will be consequences.
It is an obvious bad idea, but something about human nature (curiosity) makes it easy to forget about rational thinking and a hazardous instrument becomes a playtime gadget.

I agree, and I think California will probably do the first strict laws on lasers if not a ban, like they have done on some guns and other stuff.

Just remember: you can't fix stupid!

RA_pierce · Sep 10, 2010

00Giorge said:
I agree, and I think California will probably do the first strict laws on lasers if not a ban, like they have done on some guns and other stuff.

Just remember: you can't fix stupid!

I don't count on any action in the near future.
Any laser that can be considered "dangerous" is already illegal to import or use in a "public demonstration" (without a variance).
It just isn't enforced.

The ban already exists, but the Gov. does not have the time or resources to fry a small fish.
Eventually something will be made of this, but I don't think we should expect anything like what happened in Australia just yet.

LSRFAQ · Sep 10, 2010

The bill is in the Senate and passed the House. Up to 5 years in club Fed, and as much as a 300,000$ fine, for intentional illumination of a aircraft.

Steve

00Giorge · Sep 10, 2010

LSRFAQ said:
The bill is in the Senate and passed the House. Up to 5 years in club Fed, and as much as a 300,000$ fine, for intentional illumination of a aircraft.

Steve

OUCH!!

:scared:
That's pretty stiff, but if you're that stupid to lase a plane you deserve it! :spank:

ZRTMWA · Sep 10, 2010

My parents were about to show me this but I had already heard about it. All the shops on the boardwalk in Ocean City sell cheapass green laser pointers.

Benm · Sep 11, 2010

Well, brace yourself once the 445 nm lasers become commonly available from shops. The typical 100 mW-ish greenie sold might be nuisance to air traffic, but once idiots start pointing class-IV lasers around the sky, hell will probably break loose.

Threathening draconic fines and jail terms is probably a US thing, but some public awareness never hurts. Treat class-IV lasers like firearms - never aim them at something you do not tend to destroy, even without holding your finger on the proverbial trigger.

Bans on sales will not do all that much i think - these powerful lasers are becoming components of standard electronic equipment, just like the red diodes from dvd writers. Banning the sale of complete pointers might help a little bit, but will not deter anyone from building such lasers themselves, nor from selling them illicitly if there is enough demand.

Razako · Sep 17, 2010

Benm said:
Well, brace yourself once the 445 nm lasers become commonly available from shops. The typical 100 mW-ish greenie sold might be nuisance to air traffic, but once idiots start pointing class-IV lasers around the sky, hell will probably break loose.

Threathening draconic fines and jail terms is probably a US thing, but some public awareness never hurts. Treat class-IV lasers like firearms - never aim them at something you do not tend to destroy, even without holding your finger on the proverbial trigger.

Bans on sales will not do all that much i think - these powerful lasers are becoming components of standard electronic equipment, just like the red diodes from dvd writers. Banning the sale of complete pointers might help a little bit, but will not deter anyone from building such lasers themselves, nor from selling them illicitly if there is enough demand.

Actually a 1W 445nm is considerably less dangerous to aircraft than something like a 200mw 532nm. The main danger to air traffic comes from the dazzling effect. At long range it's unlikely that the laser will cause permanent damage and the main issue is simply the distraction. Green laser=brighter to the human eye so they're much more distracting.

Benm · Sep 17, 2010

Those 445's are bloody bright though, I'm not sure what the exact ratio is, but 1 watt of 445 seems brighter to me than 200 mW or so of green.

The 445 have worse divergence though, so they could be less distracting at a distance because the 'dot' becomes larger than the cockpit windows and most of it misses the cockpit entirely.

I guess we will see soon enough, as media reports often cite the color of the laser used.

LtKernelPanic · Sep 23, 2010

As someone who's been interested in lasers for a long time and interested in getting some higher powered ones (the reason why I've been lurking here and finally registered) this is one time I'm glad the fed.gov is looking into the issue. I don't think the average idiot realizes just how dangerous high powered lasers can be when misused. The one analogy I've found that almost always sinks in is comparing it to a BB or pellet gun*. Shooting someone in the eye with either will likely cause the same result -- blindness or at the least severe damage to the eye.

Hopefully they'll address specific issues only and won't just impose a total ban on lasers but with the feds you never know what they'll do next.

*I found using a BB or pellet gun as an example instead of a small caliber hand gun is more effective because most people are smart enough to realize that even an accidental gunshot to the head will likely be deadly but can't see how a laser beam "that doesn't even break the skin" can be a hazard.

Gilbert · Sep 27, 2010

I am in much agreement with LtKernelPanic, in my opinion they should instantly add a law restricting the sale of any complete laser >/= 3mw to 18 years of age, just like a BB gun, and no complete laser >/= 100mw should be allow to be sold without a safety training permit that could be completed online. With the crime of selling to minors equivalent to selling a hand gun to minors. Limiting sales is the best way to limit use and considering most people who can solder well enough to build their own high powered laser should be in the same bracket of responsibility as those who know proper laser safety.

Bluefan · Sep 27, 2010

I think the regulations as they are would do fine if they were enforced. Adding laws only irritates professional users (and us).

Md. Police: Pilots Facing More Danger From Lasers

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