Shining laser pens at pilots, train drivers or motorists will get you tougher fines and jail sentences under new laws proposed by the Department for Transport (DfT)
This comes after pilot unions called for laser pens to be classed as offensive weapons after pilots reported thousands of incidences during landing or take off at UK airports.
According to Civil Aviation Authority, 2015 saw on average four pilots per day, report having laser points shone into their cockpits during take offs or landing.
The first incident was reported in 2004 and the rate has been rising over the years, with more than 200 incidents annually by 2008.
Chris Grayling, the transport secretary, said: “Shining a laser pointer at pilots or drivers is incredibly dangerous and could have fatal consequences … This kind of dangerous behaviour risks lives and must be stopped.
"Whilst we know laser pens can be fun and many users have good intentions, some are not aware of the risks of dazzling drivers or pilots putting public safety at risk.”
Several people have been jailed under the current laws which attract fines of up to £2,500. However, police officers must prove that an aircraft was endangered, a problem the proposed law is set resolve, using a “common sense approach.” Police will only have to prove that the offence was committed.
It will be a crime to shine a laser at any transport operator, including motorists, bus and train drivers.
A DfT spokeswoman said: "This new law will make it even safer for aircraft travel as well as passengers using buses, taxis and trains."
She added that the new laws will be published in the vehicle technology and aviation bill and will go through parliament soon.
Steve Landells, flight safety specialist at the British Airline Pilots Association, said: “Any move to give the police and authorities more powers to tackle this real and growing threat to flight safety is a good thing, and we are pleased that the government has included action on lasers in this bill.”
February 2016 saw an incident where a New York-bound plane had to turn back to London Heathrow when a laser beam hit the cockpit after take-off, causing a “medical issue” for one of the pilots. This prompted British Airline Association and later Civil Aviation Authority to call for tougher laws to classify laser pointers as offensive weapons.