Blind a Pilot, Go to Jail
New South Wales has banned laster pointers. Now why would a major Australian state go and do something like that? Because some dummies have decided that it’s fun to shine the high-intensity lasers into cockpits. The temporarily blinded pilots don’t think it’s nearly as funny though. And neither does the government, which has assigned a jail term of up to 14 years for anyone caught carrying them without a permit.
Several pilots recently reported instances of high-powered lasers being shown into the cockpit during landings and take-offs. Just a moment of blindness could cause serious consequences. So serious, in fact, that the government will treat the laser pointers like firearms when it comes to imports.
What is with people? Why would anyone get their jollies with something like that? Truly, it is an example of someone who is Simply Dumb.
image: mateoutah on flickr
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