In recent months, Google has really pushed its Google Glassaugmented-reality headset as a way to fully immerse yourself in the Internet. Fearing that such head-mounted displays will create a new class of distracted drivers, one state is pushing back.
West Virginia recently introduced a bill to make it illegal to drive while wearing a head-mounted display. Although it doesn’t mention Google Glass specifically, the bill would fine first-time offenders $100. The fine increases to $200 and $300 for the next two offenses. Then they start adding points to your license.
The problem, according to lawmakers, is that head-mounted displays project images across a driver’s line of sight. In the case of Google Glass, probably more distracting is that you have to look slightly to your right to see the tiny screen.
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West Virginia is leaving nothing to chance. If passed, the law would go into effect July 1, several months before pairs of $1,500 Google Glass are available to most people.
In light of the legal ramifications, I believe that the best way to avoid being pulled over while wearing a Google Glass headset is to be sitting behind the wheel of a Google driverless car.
—Larry Greenemeier
[The above text is a transcript of this podcast.]
