Google Glass Restrictions for Drivers Could Come in New U.S. Rules

On the heels of news from the UK that a driving ban for Google Glass wearers is in the works, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will undoubtedly tackle the issue in a broad set of distracted driving prohibitions under development.

In April, the NHTSA issued a set of guidelines for automobile manufacturers designed to minimize distracted driving, including recommendations that electronic equipment installed in cars not require tasks that would have drivers cease to view the roadway more than “two seconds at a time and 12 seconds total.”

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In a statement to Skift, the NHTSA indicates it is developing a new set of rules that does not target Google Glass in particular, but would be broad enough to include it.

“While NHTSA is not specifically working to research Google glasses at this time, the agency is working on a second set of distraction guidelines covering portable and aftermarket devices,” the agency states. “The guidelines are intended to be broad-based and will be applicable to various types of portable and aftermarket devices.”

Google Glass, wearable technology that is essentially a communications and multimedia, information-gathering device, has a ton of applicability for travel, but hopefully driving will not be included in that.

With its video, photo, recording and messaging capabilities, Google Glass would make texting while driving a relatively benign pursuit.