Skip to main content

Illinois considers banning drivers from using Google Glass

glass sells out in tuesday sale google closeup
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Recently covered by the Chicago Sun-Times, Illinois state Senator Ira Silverstein filed legislation last week that would bar drivers from getting behind the wheel while wearing Google Glass. While Google Glass still isn’t available to the public yet, this early legislation matches similar proposals pitched by lawmakers in Delaware, New Jersey and West Virginia. If the legislation passes, the law that would allow police to ticket motorists that refuse to take off the advanced hardware while driving, very similar to ticketing drivers that use their smartphone to text while driving.

Speaking about the proposed legislation, Silverstein said “It’s just another way people will be distracted. People’s attention to the road should not be interrupted.” If passed, the measure would simply be added to an existing state law that bans the use of cellular phones unless using hands-free technology. While the Google Glass is technically hands free, the visual display could certainly interfere with a driver’s attention while on the road.

Google-Glass-in-a-car
Image used with permission by copyright holder

At the moment, the only Illinois law that would regulate Google Glass usage in cars is related to operating a motor vehicle while watching a video monitor. That law forbids drivers from watching entertainment, like movies and television shows, on a video display while driving. However, the display can show the driver information about the automobile’s performance, GPS-enabled directions within mapping software and the feed from a rear-mounted camera.

Hypothetically, Google Glass could display any of this information while driving and potentially enhance the driving experience. As a potential solution to appease lawmakers, Google could create some form of driving mode for Google Glass that locks out other distracting applications from use while operating a vehicle. However, it would likely be up to the driver to activate this mode before entering the vehicle.

On the Google Glass FAQ page, Google cautions Glass owners about wearing the hardware while behind the wheel, Specially, Google states “As you probably know, most states have passed laws limiting the use of mobile devices while driving any motor vehicle, and most states post those rules on their department of motor vehicles websites. Read up and follow the law! Above all, even when you’re following the law, don’t hurt yourself or others by failing to pay attention to the road.”

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mike Flacy
By day, I'm the content and social media manager for High-Def Digest, Steve's Digicams and The CheckOut on Ben's Bargains…
Visible just made its unlimited 5G plan better than ever
Visible wireless phones and plans featured

Digital wireless service provider Visible has announced upgrades to its premium Visible+ phone plan. The highlight is a new Global Pass feature that allows Visible customers to use their phones in 140 countries worldwide.

The Visible Global Pass offers unlimited talk and text services, along with 2GB of high-speed data, for a flat rate of $10 per day. Visible+ members can also enjoy a free Global Pass usage day every month. The activation process can be done through the Visible app.

Read more
The OnePlus Watch 2 is the Wear OS smartwatch I’ve been waiting for
Person wearing OnePlus Watch 2 with a green strap on their left wrist.

The OnePlus Watch 2 -- the company's first Wear OS watch -- has entered a market that Samsung dominates. However, OnePlus' popularity as a smartphone brand can be expected to bring small, yet meaningful changes that benefit not only OnePlus users, but all of the Wear OS segment in general.

For almost a decade, Samsung and Apple have predominantly been the default options if you want a smartwatch that is actually useful and goes beyond flashy features. With Samsung shifting gears and migrating from its own Tizen OS to the (relatively) more universal Wear OS platform and Google releasing its own Pixel Watch after struggling with an identity crisis in the smartwatch world, the platform has much more traction than it did a few years ago. As OnePlus carves its way into the segment, it has the opportunity to entice people who don't wish to live within Samsung's limitations when using a Galaxy Watch with another brand's phone.

Read more
Buying an iPad Mini today? You need to know about this deal
The Apple Pencil attaches to the iPad mini magnetically.

If you've had an eye on iPad deals for the latest model of the Apple iPad Mini for a while now, this may be the offer that you've been waiting for -- a $100 discount from Best Buy on the tablet's Wi-Fi, 64GB model, slashing its price to $400 from $500. It's still pretty popular years after its release, so we don't expect stocks of the device for this sale to last long. If you're thinking about taking advantage of this bargain, you better push through with your purchase as soon as possible to make sure that you don't miss out on the savings.

Why you should buy the Apple iPad Mini 2021
The latest generation of the Apple iPad Mini was released in 2021, but it's still featured in our roundup of the best iPads because it's the model that you should buy if you want a smaller and more compact version of Apple's tablets. Its 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display is smaller than the screens of its peers, but it's still big enough to enjoy watching streaming shows and browsing websites, while allowing you to use the device with one hand. Unlike its predecessor, there's no Home button, so the Touch ID sensor is instead built into the power button at the side of the Apple iPad Mini 2021.

Read more