Many Americans think regulations are needed for small remote-controlled planes, or even that private use should be outright banned, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Thursday.
Nearly 73 percent of respondents said they would like to see regulations for the lightweight privately controlled drones said to be a hazard to passenger aircraft and crowds. Many are also worried they could pose a risk to personal privacy.
Forty-two percent simply opposed the private ownership and use of drones, according to the poll, while 30 percent said they aren't worried about private drone ownership. Twenty-eight percent of the 2,405 surveyed between Jan. 21-27 were not sure.
Reuters noted that most of the poll was conducted prior to the small quad copter crashing on White House property on Jan. 26.
When it comes to law enforcement, 68 percent said they support departments using drones to solve crimes and 62 percent support their use to prevent crime. But the poll showed that people are still worried about law enforcement potentially misusing drones and violating their privacy.
Respondents were split over whether news organizations should be able to use drones to gather and report news, with 46 percent saying they don't want news organizations using drones and 41 percent saying they support the use.
Forty-nine percent think that parents should be able to use drones to monitor their children.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is expected to soon propose small drone regulations. So far, the FAA has said that people are free to fly small drones for personal use, but commercial use requires a license, which has specific requirements attached, according to PC World.
Commercial drone pilots must have at least an FAA Private Pilot certificate and current medical certificate and the drone must remain in sight at all times, with an observer also required to assist the pilot.
The FAA issued eight more drone licenses on Tuesday and said that about 342 companies and individuals have so far applied for licenses.
A draft FAA rule is currently under review by the White House Office of Management and Budget, and is expected to be published soon, which will mark the beginning of a year or two comment and revision cycle before it takes effect, reported Reuters.
The rule will only focus on commercial drone use for activities such as photography, surveying and crop inspection, which are banned for the most part.
