You might want to think twice before putting on Google Glass eyewear when it becomes available and then getting behind the wheel of a vehicle in metro Atlanta.
Cobb County police Sgt. Dana Pierce believes it’s only a matter of time before a driver wearing the $1,500 eyewear, which allows users to view data, photos, videos and other content on a small prism screen, will also see the flashing lights of a police officer’s vehicle.
“This is just another example of another distraction that is very likely to impede the driving ability of the person who should be paying attention to their surroundings,” Pierce said Thursday after reports that a California driver was cited for wearing the eyewear recently.
Pierce said that in Cobb officers will have “no qualms” about issuing tickets if they notice the eyewear being used.
According to multiple reports, Cecelia Abadie of Temecula, Calif., was pulled over for allegedly speeding in San Diego, but when the officer saw her wearing Google Glass she was cited for violating a state law that prohibits “driving with monitor visible to driver.” Abadie is one of a select few being allowed to try out the technology before Google decides whether to take it to the marketplace.
California’s law prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle if “a monitor, screen, or display is visible to the driver.”
Georgia also has laws that would appear to prohibit the eyewear, either directly or indirectly. State law 40-6-250, which deals with devices in vehicles, prohibits a person from driving a vehicle while wearing any device that impairs their vision.
State law 40-6-241, which deals with drivers exercising “due care,” says that drivers “shall not engage in any actions which shall distract such driver from the safe operation of such vehicle.”
Another law also bans texting while driving, with convictions on the rise.
Gwinnett County police Corp. Jake Smith said officers were “likely” to stop motorists wearing the devices, based on wording of the law governing writing, sending or reading texts while driving.
Not only does Google Glass allow drivers to send and receive messages hands-free, they can take pictures, record what they see and send it to others, as well as getting directions.
Google warns that most states have laws against using devices that can potentially impede driving. Google Glass website information says users should “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.”
Google is allowing a select few consumers to try the eyewear through its Explorer Program, which was launched earlier this year. On the Google Glass website, the company says it is expanding the program “little by little” and invites those interested in trying out the eyewear to get on a waiting list.
About the Author
