National Post · Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010In this occasional feature, the National Post tells you everything you need to know about a complicated issue. Today: Nick Aveling shines a light on laser pointers after the arrest yesterday of a Calgary man accused of pointing a laser at a police helicopter.
Q I thought we were over this.
A Not even close. The novelty of laser pointers disappeared long ago, but their dangerous use continues to flourish. Yesterday's incident aside, a perusal of recent headlines turns up an Edmonton man found guilty of "creating a hazard to aviation," a U.K. teenager who burned the surface of his eye causing permanent damage, and an incorrigible Vancouver Canucks fan who spent the better part of 60 minutes aiming a laser pointer at the eyes of Calgary goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff, pictured. Meantime, the situation appears to be getting worse. According to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, an average of six planes have been targeted by laser pointers every day this year. In 2008, that number was closer to three. Here in Canada, 101 incidents have been reported in 2010, compared to 108 in 2009, said Transport Canada.
Q What kind of person would do such a thing?
A Likely a young one, said University of Toronto psychology professor Jennifer Tackett. "It sounds like something that would fall under the domain of standard delinquency, adolescent pranks," said Ms. Tackett, who does research in the area of aggression and juvenile delinquency. "For some teenagers, it's an issue of impulsivity and difficulty with regulating their behaviour. For others it's stimulation seeking: doing it because it feels exciting at the time and not thinking through the consequences." The need among teens to feel accepted by peers is another major driver of delinquent behaviour, she said.
Q Sure, laser pointers are annoying. But they've never actually caused a plane crash, and the Flames won 3-2 that night. Are they not, for the most part, benign?
A Less and less so, depending on where you do your shopping. Laser pointers available at chains such as Staples and Best Buy are capable of pointing out a pie chart, but not much else. Astronomy stores such as Toronto's Efston Science carry heavier artillery, useful for pointing out constellations and other celestial phenomena. The biggest gun there can pop a balloon, said a store employee. But by far the most powerful portable laser pointer on the market is the Spyder III Pro Arctic, pictured, a product so dangerous it has been described as the world's first lightsaber (so often, in fact, that George Lucas threatened to sue). Health Canada does not warn specifically against the Spyder III, which can set skin on fire, but it does urge common sense in dealing with laser pointers in general. "Never look directly into the beam," for example. Increasingly bright and powerful beams pose a growing risk to pilots, said Patrick Murphy of the International Laser Display Association, based in Florida, that is pushing for stricter controls.
Q Lightsabers are illegal, right?
A Not in Canada. The Hong Kong company that produces the Spyder III ships to the country, while the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control warns that "no [federal] regulations controlling the importation and sale of laser pointers have been established." An employee of Efston Science said the store refuses to sell even its most harmless laser pointer to anyone under the age of 18, despite being legally allowed to sell its most powerful to a child.
Q So what's being done?
A Not much. The B.C. Centre for Disease Control recommends restricting the use of laser pointers to the type intended for board meetings, not long ago duels in a galaxy far, far away. But there is no legislation aimed at tightening regulations. Said Mr. Murphy of the laser display association: "The main analogy I would make is with a knife. You use knives in the kitchen, you use them for a million different purposes, but once a knife gets really long like a sword or it becomes hidden like a switchblade, that's when you start to regulate." The maximum penalty for those convicted of pointing a laser at an aircraft, under the Aeronautics Act, is a $100,000 fine, five years imprisonment, or both.
Read more: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/What+Blinded+laser+light/3411855/story.html#ixzz0x6sXpijq
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