The federal government is clamping down on drones following hundreds of hair-raising incidents in which the remote-controlled devices came close to crashing into a commercial aircraft.
The Washington Times reports all drones weighing more than a half-pound will now have to be registered with the federal government.
"A registration requirement encourages a culture of accountability and responsibility," the FAA states in a memo about the new regulation.
"Much like registering a motor vehicle, registering a drone ties a specific person to a specific aircraft. Greater accountability will help protect innovation, which is in danger of being undermined by reckless behavior."
The new requirement comes just days after the release of a report by Bard College's Center for the Study of the Drone showing there have been at least
241 reports of close encounters between drones and manned aircraft that meet the government's definition of a near midair collision.
And last May, Secret Service agents detained a man who was attempting to fly a drone over the White House fence. Drones have become so popular that they are now sold in department stores.
Registration — which will cost $5, the same price it is for commercial jets — is required for newly-bought drones
, as well as those that are already owned.
"The device you've purchased is more than a toy — it's an aircraft, and it must be flown with the same respect to safety as any other aircraft operating in our national airspace," Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said.
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