On January 9, students from Inholland University of Applied Sciences in Rotterdam presented the results of their research projects on the use of drones in The Hague. Over a period of three months, two student groups from the elective program Law & Safety in Public Services, in collaboration with the Municipality of The Hague, conducted interviews and surveys to explore public perceptions of drones and their use by the municipality, police, and private citizens.
Needs and Expectations Regarding Drones
For a portion of the interviewed residents of The Hague, drones represent the future. Young people, in particular, are enthusiastic about the many possibilities drones offer, such as recreational flights and convenient services. Social media exposes them to inspiring examples from other countries, where drones effortlessly deliver coffee and packages. The older generation also recognizes the benefits of drones, especially in terms of safety. Survey results show that they particularly value drones in emergency situations, where they can play a crucial role.
Concerns About Drone Usage
Alongside the advantages, interviewees also expressed concerns—primarily about the feeling of being surveilled by both government agencies and private drone users. Many respondents reported discomfort with drones due to fears of privacy violations. Additionally, they indicated a lack of accessible information about drones, such as regulations around sharing drone footage online or government-operated drone flights. It is therefore essential that authorities take these concerns seriously and view them as an opportunity to improve transparency and communication regarding drone usage and related regulations.
Recommendations on Drones and No-Fly Zones
A key recommendation from the students is to clarify drone-related laws and regulations more effectively. This could be achieved through workshops or social media campaigns. The students specifically advise that governments take a more proactive role in explaining these rules. They also observed that individuals who are well-informed about drone regulations tend to be more understanding of drone usage.
Furthermore, the students recommend increasing the visibility of drone regulations by placing signage at strategic locations. Although the rules are currently available online, they remain unclear to many amateur drone users and citizens. The students propose that governments install signs in no-fly zones—areas where drones are prohibited, to create clearly visible “no-drone zones.” This would help ensure that people are aware of restrictions in advance.
Finally, the Municipality of The Hague will continue research into drone detection developments in the coming year. The insights provided by the students serve as a valuable source of inspiration and will be incorporated into the further development of these initiatives.