ROC Cabinet hashes out drone regulations

2015/07/24

Regulations governing the use of unmanned aerial vehicles and camera drones in Taiwan are under discussion at a Cabinet meeting July 23 in Taipei City.

Participants include representatives from the Office of Homeland Security, National Police Administration, and ministries of National Defense and Transportation and Communications. They are expected to formulate a coordinated response to the increasing number of UAVs and drones appearing in the skies over Taiwan.

Minister without Portfolio Yeh Shin-cheng said July 22 that due to the diverse nature of drone uses, the government’s response must be in accordance with civil aviation, railway, social order and vital area laws. “Determining whether to draft a bill specifically targeting the licensing and operation of such devices is also on the agenda.”

The meeting follows national security concerns stemming from a series of drone-related accidents in the past few weeks.

Taipei 101, the world’s tallest green-certified building, has been struck by drones several times beginning last month. The latest incident occurred July 21 with a mainland Chinese tourist at the controls.

In addition, the wreckage of a camera-carrying UAV was discovered June 21 next to the runway at Taipei’s Songshan Airport, highlighting the potential threat to aviation safety and public security by such incursions.

According to the Civil Aeronautics Administration, any objects posing a potential hazard to flight safety, including remote-controlled drones, are restricted near Taiwan’s airports. Those operating a drone at a height of 60 meters above ground level are subject to fines of NT$300,000 (US$9,607) to NT$1.5 million.

Given that UAV technology can be put to use in a wide range of scenarios like disaster relief, Yeh said the Cabinet will coordinate cross-agency efforts to devise corresponding management measures. “But it must be addressed as a national security issue in light of the significant challenges presented in terms of privacy and safety.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=232949&ctNode=413)