Laser pointers are business tools, yet, alarmingly, people are using them as prankster toys, or worse, weapons.

The number of incidents involving laser pointers being directed at planes as they take off or land is on the steep rise in Canada.

Transport Canada officials say 83 incidents have been reported across Canada since 2005, with 56 of them occurring this year alone.

The laser pointers, with even a split-second exposure, can cause flashblindness -- the effect people can get after having their photograph taken by a camera with a flash. Vision can be severely impaired for a brief period.

And people are targeting pilots as they execute the most dangerous aspects of flight -- transitioning from the ground to air or vice versa.

To date, there have been no reported air crashes in Canada due to laser pointers. But if the trend continues, it's only a matter of time before there is a tragedy.

One can only wonder what motivates people to use the laser pointers to distract and/or attempt to blind pilots. It's ludicrous to put so many lives in danger for a few laughs.

Perhaps such perpetrators are related on the gene scale to people who drop heavy rocks off highway overpasses at passing cars.

What must change is the punishment for the crime. A Calgary man was fined $1,000 after being convicted under the federal Aeronautics Act recently. Officials don't have details on how many others have faced mischief or assault charges under the Criminal Code.

Why not upgrade the charges and stiffen the fines? It could be argued these laser flashings are akin to attempted murder. A successful blinding can easily cause a crash.

The airline industry would also like to see laser pointer manufacturers develop labeling that will contain usage warnings, in the hope education will encourage safer use of the pointers.

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