Swedish Mans Joyride Ends In Crash: Intoxicated Drone Pilot Faces 2900 Fine At Vintage Car Event

A Swedish man has learned the hard way that flying a drone while intoxicated is a serious offense, with the court imposing a hefty fine of $2,900 after he was caught operating the aircraft in a state of intoxication at a vintage car event in July 2023.

Swedish police were monitoring the event when they detected another drone flying in restricted airspace, which led them to identify the operator as a 55-year-old man with a blood alcohol level of 0.69 – more than three times Sweden’s legal limit of 0.2.

Initially, the man claimed he was not operating the drone, but his story quickly unraveled when confronted by police. The court heard that the drone pilot had been flying the aircraft until he realized he was in trouble and attempted to cover up his mistake.

The harsh punishment reflects the severity with which Sweden views drunk driving, with limits of 0.2 for blood alcohol content being among the strictest in Europe. In contrast, the UK has a limit of 0.8, while Spain, France, and Belgium have stricter limits at 0.5.

Prosecutor Jenny Holden Nyström noted that this case had never been seen before, but expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision. District Court President Karin Hellmont explained that the punishment matched that of drunk driving due to the risks associated with drone operation, including potential for falls from heights and injuries to bystanders.

The Swedish authorities have taken a firm stance on this issue, fining the drone pilot 32,000 kronor (approximately $2,900) payable over 80 days. This ruling serves as a warning to drone enthusiasts about the dangers of mixing alcohol with flying and may lead to increased scrutiny of intoxicated operators, particularly those involved in deliveries, including potentially even delivering alcoholic beverages.

In contrast, Japan has laws against flying drones under the influence, with pilots facing up to a year in jail or fines of up to $2,740. The US Federal Aviation Administration requires drone pilots to stay below a 0.04 BAC limit – stricter than Sweden’s standard for driving. Reckless drone operation can result in significant fines or even jail time in the US.

The incident highlights the need for responsible behavior when operating drones, emphasizing that flying under the influence is never acceptable.