ALBANY, N.Y. — Senator Charles Schumer said Sunday that recent near-collisions between aerial drones and aircraft at New York City's Kennedy Airport show the need for federal regulations on the small remote-controlled aircraft.
The New York Democrat said three near-collisions at the airport have been reported in the last week. He said rules on the use of commercial drones must be crafted as soon as possible to prevent potentially deadly incidents.
Schumer said that although civilian drones have beneficial uses, they can pose a hazard to other aircraft or pedestrians.
He also said the devices can be used to violate a person's privacy.
Federal officials are working on drone regulations. The senator said the rules must be expedited because the technology is becoming much more widely used.