[Ambush]

...attach a string to a small camera drone and fly it 6 feet above the car (via sunroof) to check out what's going on ahead during a full-stop traffic jam?

Just asking.

For a friend.

Thanks.

[cellsafemode]

there's no federal law saying you can't. Doesn't mean you should though.

Local laws may prohibit flying any models above roadways. But probably not.

Attaching a string to it is pretty much guaranteed to eventually lead to it losing control and crashing into either your car or another car.

if it's so far away that a simple telescoping monopole is not long enough to give a view then what's the point in knowing anyway? it's not like you can do anything about it by the time you're in the jam. Google maps would be a better indicator of how many miles of crap you have to deal with and if you have an option to get off and bypass it.

[Glen e]

You can’t fly/hover drones ANYWHERE there is people. FAA ruling....and If you fly over roads or neighborhoods, it has to be 150 up and you must keep moving.

Been flying drones for a year, have two FAA liscences...

[LibertyHill]

Just use a selfie stick.

[tcal780]

Just use Google maps and avoid the stop altogether.

[Bigdog9586]

Originally Posted by tcal780

Just use Google maps and avoid the stop altogether.

And if there is a wrecks mile up the road how can I avoid it if I’m already on it?

[whiteboyblues2001]

Originally Posted by Bigdog9586

And if there is a wreaks mile up the road how can I avoid it if I’m already on it?

Get the Waze app. It will tell you ahead of time, and tell you the way to get around the backup before you get to it. Flying a drone when fully stopped in the backup, won't prevent you from getting into the backup. And you can't get out of the backup, because you aren't moving.

[camaromike77]

To answer your question, "No".

[Bigdog9586]

Originally Posted by whiteboyblues2001

Get the Waze app. It will tell you ahead of time, and tell you the way to get around the backup before you get to it. Flying a drone when fully stopped in the backup, won't prevent you from getting into the backup. And you can't get out of the backup, because you aren't moving.

Like I said if I’m already on the freeway when a wreck happens we may not help either. Lots of freeways it’s many miles between exits.

[whiteboyblues2001]

Originally Posted by Bigdog9586

Like I said if I’m already on the freeway when a wreck happens we may not help either. Lots of freeways it’s many miles between exits.

If you get the Waze app, you won't be on the freeway. You will be on another road avoiding the accident. It tells you to get off the freeway before you get to the accident. It is very accurate (but not perfect). Plus the app tells you when there are disabled vehicles by the side of the road. It also tells you where there are police doing a speed trap. It will also tell you where there is construction. AND it will calculate the fastest way to get you where you want to go and tell you which way to go that avoids all of the above.

If you are flying a drone out of your sunroof, you have to be stopped and already on the freeway, already in the traffic jam when/where it is too late to change anything. Plus, all you will see is what the Waze app would have told you was there miles ago, while it was telling you to get off at the exit preceding the incident.