UK to ban wearing Google Glass while driving

Google Glass seems to be setting new records in the number of prohibitions of a product that hasn’t yet been officially launched.

After being banned everywhere from bars to workplaces, Stuff reports that the British government has announced plans to make it illegal to wear Glass while driving.

A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesman told Stuff: “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. 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.” 

While we can see the point that you don’t want people reading emails and tweets while driving, the head-up navigation capabilities of Glass potentially make it a safer option than traditional satellite navigation units, enabling drivers to keep their eyes on the road at all times. Sending a speedometer reading to Glass would also surely be safer than drivers looking down at the dashboard?

I’m hoping Google is working on a driving mode that detects when someone is driving a car and limits the data that can be displayed to driving aids, and that governments will be sufficiently enlightened to allow the device to be used in this mode. I’m probably optimistic on the latter point …