Beware of Flying Drones above Car Shows
While many professionals and amateurs fly drones these days, these objects can be a hazardous threat to people, animals and property. Case in point: While participating recently at the annual Charles Town Car Show back on August 30, when the award ceremony was near its conclusion at 3pm, we heard a loud crash. We turned around to discover that a drone fell out of the sky and struck the hood of Chuck McDonald’s 1937 Packard.
This drone had dented the hood in several spots then bounced and landed onto the hood of my wagon in pieces. We later discovered that the unauthorized drone’s owner is a transient without a fixed address and could not be located to compensate us for the damages. However, the good news is that at least no one was injured.
The lesson to this story is that even if it is not illegal in the jurisdiction where a car show is held, the show’s hosts should not allow drones to be flown above the area. (The party hosting the event that accepts payment could potentially be liable as well.) As drones become more commonplace, there is more potential for bodily injury and property damages. So if you see a drone above, request the operator to cease and desist. If you cannot locate the operator, complain to the show organizers to make an announcement on their loudspeakers that drones are not allowed, the operator is liable for any damages and to land them in a place AWAY from the event!- Rob Parr
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