Drivers 'Followed By Drone' On RivCo Freeway

RIVERSIDE, CA — Drivers heading eastbound on State Route 60, west of Mission Boulevard, were startled by a flying object, they told California Highway Patrol Wednesday afternoon.

Shortly before 11:30 a.m., a reporting party notified CHP dispatch that "someone was flying a drone over the freeway, very close to vehicles" east of the I-15 Freeway and just west of Mission Boulevard.

Riverside County Sheriff's Department was notified of the incident, according to CHP dispatch. There were no crashes caused by the close-flying drone, as of 12:30 p.m.

Though sheriff's deputies were called ot the scene, on reports of drones flying low in the area, "Unfortunately, deputies were unable to respond at that time, and there were no further reports of low flying drones in that area as of 1:30 p.m., according to Sgt. Robert Martinez of the sheriff's department.

The trouble with drones.

One year ago, drone sightings across Riverside, San Diego, and Los Angeles counties were on the rise.

The sightings triggered alarm, wonder, and confusion. The FBI has initiated investigations into large drone sightings nationwide. Patch confirmed the local drones reported last year weren't the work of the military, but may include local police departments or private drone operators taking them out for a night spin across the sky.

A Caltrans spokesperson has assured Patch that flying drones over state routes and highways is illegal.

"Operating an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS or drone) over state highways and over and around bridges can be hazardous to the travelling public and the operator and may be in violation of federal regulations," their website states.

"Operating a UAS from within the State Highway System (SHS) right-of-way requires a Caltrans encroachment permit. Encroachment permit requests will only be considered when associated with authorized construction work or other permitted activities such as commercial filming, special events, surveys, or accident reconstruction.

UAS operations for other purposes, such as recreation, private, or business uses, are not allowed, Caltrans says.

"While the Federal Aviation Administration has exclusive regulatory authority over UAS operations, as well as civilian airspace, an encroachment permit from Caltrans is required before launching from or landing a UAS within the SHS right-of-way, and before entering the SHS right-of-way to operate or participate in UAS-related activities. Regardless of where the operators (remote pilot in command, visual observer, support personnel) are physically located or where the UAS is flown, operators are required to comply with all federal and State laws, and local ordinances."

Patch has also reached out to the FAA to determine if a drone had filed a flight plan in that area, and will update this report when a response is received.

Read more: Drones Launch Nightly Over SoCal Skies: Who Is Flying Them And Why?