US bans drone flights over parts of New Jersey, New York after mystery sightings
A frenzy of concern about drones is prompting people to point lasers at planes flying overhead, which is illegal and can be dangerous
The Federal Aviation Administration said on Thursday it was temporarily barring drone flights over dozens of critical infrastructure sites in New Jersey and New York.
A frenzy of concern about drones in New Jersey and surrounding states has prompted a dramatic spike in the number of people in the area pointing lasers at aeroplanes flying overhead, which is illegal and can be dangerous, the FAA said on Wednesday.
US agencies have repeatedly said that the spike in drone sightings does not pose national security risks and that they appear to be mostly aircraft, stars or hobbyist drones.
The federal government in recent days has also sent drone monitoring equipment to New Jersey and New York.
The FAA said the decision to ban drones for 30 days at 22 New Jersey utility sites was made in an abundance of caution at the request of federal security agencies after the aviation authority barred flights over two locations in the state in November.
The locations subject to the temporary ban across New Jersey include PSE&G electrical switching stations, substations, generating stations, a utility command centre and other facilities in places including Elizabeth, Edison, South Brunswick, Camden, Metuchen and Bridgewater.
