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UK Government already bans Google Glass for drivers

It may be a while before you even get your Google Glass, but you need to know that you will not be allowed to use the wearable device while you’re

Nishtha Kanal|Aug 01, 2013, 12:01:24 IST

It may be a while before you even get your Google Glass, but you need to know that you will not be allowed to use the wearable device while you’re driving in the UK. The Department for Transport (DfT) in the country has already acted on banning Google Glass, even before it is opened to the general public.

The DfT has a simple argument that we concur is correct – Glass takes your attention off the road. The device, with its various features could end up distracting a driver and cause accidents. Google Glass, which is to be released in 2014 to the general public, is therefore facing a pre-emptive ban. Cover

No driving with Glass on

A 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."

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The ban on Google Glass is very similar to the nearly universal ban on using handheld mobile devices while driving. The ban on mobile phones was put into effect in UK in 2003 and a range of penalties exist in countries across the world for using handheld devices while driving. Google on its part said in a statement, "We are thinking very carefully about how we design Glass because new technology always raises new issues.”

This will surely come as a disappointment to people who were planning on getting a Google Glass for navigational purposes while driving. The Glass programme, which is currently in the Explorer stage in the US only, is having people around the world hankering over the wearable device.

It was revealed yesterday that Google has already started to roll out invites for Glass. The invites are available for existing Explorer users to send to their friends. The conditions, though, make it necessary for the invitees to be 18-years-old and up and be residents of the US. Another condition entails that the user will need to pick up the Glass device from either San Francisco, New York or Los Angeles. At this rate, it may be quite a while before Google Glass reaches the UK but the government has already taken steps to put restrictions in place for it.

By Nishtha Kanal

Intrigued by all things social, Nishtha will invariably tweet about you. When not tweeting or writing about the next viral video, you will hear her proclaiming her love to Metallica, James Hetfield, Opeth, Akerfeldt and all bands that go 'growl'. She also obsesses about ACP Pradyuman and South Park and you will always find her moving around with a book. Her focus is on all the happening stuff in the tech domain, and she won't hesitate to take a shot at some of the oddball devices that make their way to our labs.