Federal government to start tracking drones flying in US

The federal government wants to start tracking all drones flying in the United States within three years.

The new rule would cover all commercial and personal drones except for the smallest models.

The plan could essentially create a license plate system for drones.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the new rule is essential for law enforcement and national security agencies. It will help them identify potentially dangerous or unauthorized drones.

“If we have one accident because of some jerk illegally flying a toy drone, they’re all going to get grounded and it’s going to be quite a mess,” said U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore.

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Officials said they currently don’t have a quick way to identify a drone’s owner or track the location of a registered drone.

Opponents of the new rule said it would make drones more expensive and less effective.

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