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Drones are no different to model helicopters or fixed wing aircraft, which have been around for years, and therefore there are already adequate regulations imposed covering their use. Users should be made more aware of them, and encouraged to behave accordingly. Joining the British Model Flying Association (https://bmfa.org/) would be a smart move by any user, not only to check the regulations, but to take advantage of the £25 million worldwide insurance cover which is included in the membership fee. We could also adopt the American method of registering every buyer, and having their registration number displayed on every drone they own.
Banning drones now would be like closing the stable door long after this horse has bolted, there does need to be regulations and the courts need to come down hard on offenders that fly in restricted airspace and also restrict the altitude they can be flown at, the manufacturers need to have their wings clipped to restrict performance to stop it getting silly with the size of drones and the altitude they will be able to achieve.
I am in full agreement with Keith Tinkler, as he suggests everyone who purchases a drone should have to take a CAA test. The reasons for this are obvious in this current political climate, drones can be used to access information and more importantly could be used as a weapon.
On the domestic side many people who purchase these items are solely using them for hobbyist purposes, though many photographers, who undoubtedly know the potential of using these drones, especially with GoPro cameras can reap the benefits of a lucrative commercial photography career.
I recently attended a seminar with Rich Seymour an aerial photographer, whose work can be seen here: http://www.richardseymour.co.uk Rich Seymour himself holds a CAA test qualification and would probably like to hear about the results of this poll.
As a professional photographer with a drone.... The system should make everyone who buys one to take a CAA test and pay the £1500 fee that would stop a lot of idiots which cause problems
Of course they shouldn't be banned. These restrictions being placed on remote controlled quad copters are slowly destroying a very popular hobby and industry. Just because a few stupid people use them for the wrong reasons doesn't mean it should ruin the fun for everyone. Not only do these rules affect quadcopters (AKA your made up "drones") but also remote controlled aircraft as a whole.
Any idiot with the funds can buy one and do stupid and dangerous things with it.
Not to mention intrusion into privacy, noise, etc.
Any attempt at regulation will be about as practical as the regulation of the use of mobile telephones by car drivers (probably the same kind of people that buy most drones?)
Drones should be properly registered and regulated. They should be banned from going over a certain height (to determined by the government) which could interfere with planes in flight. As an aside, could terrorists use them for their own ends?
Only professional photographers who fully understand and comply with the relevant regulations should be using drones and they should be licensed.