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UK Gov't Doesn't Want You Using Google Glass While Driving

By - Source: Stuff | B 18 comments

You'll have to take Glass off before you get on the road.

With the likes of Google Glass and an abundance of smart watches set for availability in the next year or so, it seems wearable technology is set to be the next big thing. However, it seems the UK government is eager to keep your mind on the road, and that means you can't be using your Google Glass while you're driving.

Stuff reports that the Department for Transport has already taken steps to ban Google Glass while driving. Though the device has not yet launched in the United Kingdom, the DfT is hoping to avoid any potential for distraction on the roads. The government told Stuff that it was in talks with police regarding the issue.

"We are aware of the impending rollout of Google Glass and are in discussion with the Police to ensure that individuals do not use this technology while driving," a DfT spokesperson is quoted as saying. It is important that drivers give their full attention to the road when they are behind the wheel and do not behave in a way that stops them from observing what is happening on the road."

Google Glass is currently only available via the company's Explorer program, which means there isn't a whole lot of people wandering the streets (or the roads) with the high-tech goggles on. The technology won't be ready for the mass market until next year, but don't be surprised if we see some regulation about using it on the road before then. While you could say that Google Glass is hands free, the unit throws all kinds of visuals into your field of vision when in use, so it's hard to argue that it's not a distraction.

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  • -1 Hide
    amuffin , August 2, 2013 3:06 AM
    Anyone in their right mind would take them off before driving. UNLESS...
  • 5 Hide
    CrArC , August 2, 2013 3:27 AM
    Welp, there goes my dream of a vehicle HUD with tach, speed and sat nav.

    Stupid people ruining it for the rest of us again. -_-
  • 1 Hide
    halcyon , August 2, 2013 3:39 AM
    I see it both ways. Can understand the nanny-state and can understand how there could be some twisted, fun, or informative use for it wherever you are. Personally, I don't think it would impact my driving...but I may just be being arrogant.
  • Display all 18 comments.
  • -1 Hide
    cypeq , August 2, 2013 3:47 AM
    Seems impossible to enforce just like only hands free phones.
  • 1 Hide
    mapesdhs , August 2, 2013 4:39 AM

    As J. Clarkson once said, funny how something like a phone or Glass is
    deemed not acceptable because it's a 'distraction', yet it's ok for a couple
    to have screaming kids in the back where the driver is constantly looking
    back at them to tell them to stop kicking each other, etc., during which the
    driver isn't looking at the road.

    On the motorway I've seen drivers eating meals (with both hands! Using their
    knees to turn the steering wheel), putting on clothes, reading books, all sorts
    of crazy things. Sadly never a copper around to give them an earful for such
    stupid behaviour.

    Evidence is now available to show that, if anything, forcing drivers to use
    hands-free devices has made lack of driving attention worse (see recent
    New Scientist report). Since various cars already have HUD setups, and
    onboard satnavs & general car control systems make use of displays that
    force one to look away from the road, it's clearly a contradictory idea that
    Glass should be singled out for a ban. If Glass can't be used, then neither
    should any screen-based control setup or HUD in cars.

    This kind of political move is just bandwagon-thinking. They're assuming
    there will be a vocal minority against it, so they're prempting the outcry to
    gain points.

    Traffic law should be based on evidence & reason, not public bias
    and political soap-boxing.


    And cypeq is right, I don't remotely see how it could be enforced.
    Heck, the police here don't even enforce existing laws against
    using normal mobiles (not hands-free I mean); I see dirvers
    using them all the time, though nothing was as bad as watching
    a woman drive her car past me up a hill (I was waiting to cross
    the road), past several turn-offs, a library (lots of children around),
    three bus stops and a bus terminus, all while putting on her freakin'
    makeup using the car's sun-visor mirror, ie. not looking at the road
    _at all_. A woman across the road from me stared in astonishment;
    we both looked on, half expecting the driver to plough into a tree.

    Tech devices like Glass are the least important issues the govt
    needs to be tackling on the roads. Just general bad driving is
    more blatantly dangerous. I see no end of people breaking red
    lights (anyone else here in Edinburgh? Check Queensferry Road
    junction, it happens on every change of lights), entering box junction
    grids when the exit is not clear, etc.

    Ian.

  • 1 Hide
    eiskrystal , August 2, 2013 4:46 AM
    mapesdhs - That means you will have people eating, shouting at their kids AND using Google glass at the same time.

    Google may want this as well since any driver in a crash could claim that Google threw up a window that distracted him and therefore they they aren't guilty and Google should be sued.
  • 0 Hide
    BranFlake5 , August 2, 2013 5:25 AM
    eiskrystal - Google isn't liable for how you use their product. (probably in terms of use) If anyone in a crash claimed their phone distracted them, they look like a fool and no lawsuit occurs. Imagine if it did, Do you know how many people would've sued Apple/Samsung etc. ?
  • 1 Hide
    dextermat , August 2, 2013 7:28 AM
    Quote:
    UK Gov't Doesn't Want You Using Google Glass While Driving


    sounds logical to me and hope other government will follow
  • -2 Hide
    r1Master , August 2, 2013 7:37 AM
    I bet these clowns have not even worn the Google Glass... IDIOTS !!! Don't start ranting about something you do not fully understand.
  • 0 Hide
    ChrisCullen Inc , August 2, 2013 7:44 AM
    Agree to be honest. We have enough absolutely awful drivers as it is who get distracted at the smallest of things and I'd rather not have something else as well. Not against Google Glass though.

    I could imagine it not doing something someone asked, they take them off to have a fiddle and then...

  • 1 Hide
    back_by_demand , August 2, 2013 8:27 AM
    r1master, have you got Glass and do you drive with one? Unless yes to both then you are the one who doesn't know what they are talking about. So who do I listen to, some nimrod on a forum with no credibility or a whole Government department whose sole reason for existing is road safety? Back under your bridge, troll
  • 0 Hide
    makaveli316 , August 2, 2013 8:38 AM
    UK is probably the worse government after the U.S. one. Every week or so i read about some ridiculous laws in UK.
    They are bending over a little bit too much to the americans.
  • 2 Hide
    Azn Cracker , August 2, 2013 10:40 AM
    I don't want you do use google glasses while driving
  • -2 Hide
    cozmium , August 2, 2013 10:48 AM
    I wish I could say i'm proud to be British.... i'm just not, because it's such a nanny state. The department for transport and no doubt the Tories probably can't wait until cars drive themselves, because obviously a human shouldn't be in control of all that moving mass.
  • -1 Hide
    r1Master , August 2, 2013 11:44 AM
    back_by_demand - Wow calm down... You're mean...
    I know that very few people have access to these so how can a group start making judgement calls on something they are not using (and if they are using them, I would have thought there would be a study or something...)
    From what I have READ... Using these and looking at instructions for a map for example would be a quick look up to the screen and forward again, no different to looking in the rear view mirror or speedometer.
    Obviously you would not want to use it for reading a text message.
    My point is that the governments these days are very quick at saying NO to something they don't understand or invest any time into researching...
    Again, you're mean... don't be a mean... we are after value conversation and discussion here... not bashing...
  • -1 Hide
    warezme , August 2, 2013 12:33 PM
    J. Clarkson is a big fat douche. Just put your little glasses away and concentrate on driving. You'll have plenty of time out of the car to walk around looking like a tool.
  • 0 Hide
    back_by_demand , August 2, 2013 3:26 PM
    R1Master, am I mean? Really? welcome to the internet, I have no patience to dress up all sweetness and light for people who think their self-confessed limited knowledge exceeds that of a Government Dept with hundreds of people working in a professional capacity for the purpose of road safety.

    Yes, point conceded "looking at instructions for a map for example would be a quick look up to the screen and forward again, no different to looking in the rear view mirror or speedometer" very probably, the same as you could likely do things with a mobile phone that would not distract you.

    The point is that whilst using one you could also be checking Facebook updates or browsing items for shopping, or watching porn. Nobody bans things for the things that are harmless, they get banned for the ban things they do.

    Next time you go on a plane try taking a loaded gun with you, then try to argue that you have no intention of using it and that is excellent for home defence, all very laudible, but unlikely to get a ban lifted because of the potential for misuse. These are the things that the people at the DoT, DVLA and DSA think of whilst you paint a rosy view of how harmless something is from your ivory tower.

    Am I still being mean? Tough, suck it up.
  • 0 Hide
    mcaalrington , August 2, 2013 7:20 PM
    I can see multiple uses for Google Glass for safe drivers.

    1. Assist in determining traffic violations, if any.
    2. Assist in navigation, highlighting relevant signs on road.
    3. Assist in police officer power abuse prevention.

    There are some cons, mainly in safety and privacy given the type of technology. However, responsible drivers would benefit; irresponsible drivers will still create/cause accidents/hazards regardless of Google Glass. Let me ask: which is safer, a Facebook browsing driver with a cell phone or Google Glass? Neither is safe, but I bet the Google Glass wearing one is at least less of a risk versus the other. I can also see why police would hate it - cause they hate being recorded.