Drones can’t continue to fly near commercial airplanes and obstruct firefighters. So what’s the answer? Is there an answer?

Apparently I’ve turned into a fear-mongering drone hater. That seems to be the consensus after my piece on possibly needing more consumer drone regulation.

That couldn’t be farther from the truth. I don’t want consumer drones banned. I don’t want innovation stifled. I don’t want them to become too expensive for the average consumer. We’d have a lot less to write about if consumer drones didn’t exist. Trust me, a consumer drone-free world is the last thing I want.

MUST-READ: Here’s a Perfect Example of Why We Need More Consumer Drone Regulation

But we have to be responsible here. It’s undeniable that more drones are being spotted flying near commercial planes. That’s unacceptable. Obstructing the efforts of firefighters to contain wildfires is unacceptable, whether the wrongdoer is a drone or not.

These types of incidents can’t continue to happen. Sure it’s just a few bad eggs violating current rules, but who’s to say there won’t be more violators in the sky as consumer drones become even more mainstream?

Any risk that can be eliminated should be. It’s the smart thing to do. And as Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) has repeatedly said, the current rules in place for consumer drones – fly your drone below 400 feet at all times, don’t fly within 5 miles of any airport – don’t seem to be deterring some from recklessly flying.

So what’s the answer? Is there an answer? If more education is the answer, fantastic. If stricter regulations are the answer, great. If it’s a combination of things, let’s figure it out.

What do you think is the answer? Vote in our poll below.