2 JUN: The US government is increasing the penalties for people caught shining laser beams at commercial planes in response to a steep increase in the number of incidents.
The Federal Aviation Administration will consider someone who hits a plane with a laser to be "interfering" with a flight crew, the same law used to protect pilots and flight attendants from hijackers, the agency announced yesterday.
The agency has no authority to prosecute violators criminally, but it can charge them under civil statutes and assess fines up to $US11,000.
Last year, the FAA received 2836 reports that planes were hit with lasers, nearly double the total in 2009 and 10 times as many as 2005.
"Our top priority is protecting the safety of the traveling public," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said.
"We will not hesitate to take tough action against anyone who threatens the safety of our passengers, pilots and air transportation system."
