West Virginia Mulls Ban on Google Glass While Driving

State rep sees 'safety concern' with Internet headset
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 25, 2013 5:27 PM CDT
West Virginia Mulls Ban on Google Glass While Driving
Google co-founder Sergey Brin wears Google Glass speaks before the Diane Von Furstenberg Spring 2013 show during Fashion Week in New York, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Ever imagined Google Glass causing nasty accidents? So has West Virginia state Rep. Gary Howell, who introduced a bill last week to ban wearing such gizmos while driving, CNN reports. "The primary thing is a safety concern," said Howell."It could project text or video into your field of vision. I think there's a lot of potential for distraction." In case you don't know: Google Glass resembles a pair of eyeglasses that enable people to surf the 'Net, send emails, and so on, using voice commands.

The headset isn't due out until late this year—and pre-order models run for $1,500—but Howell wanted to get the jump on the product and its likely imitators. In a statement responding to the law, Google said "there is tremendous potential to improve safety on our roads and reduce accidents. As always, feedback is welcome." But Google has said the headset may include turn-by-turn navigation with voice commands, and project its screen above the wearer's immediate field of vision. (More Google Glass stories.)

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