Google Glass isn't on the market yet but the state of West Virginia is already preparing a law making it illegal to use Google Glass while driving. The bill, proposed by a lawmaker named Gary G Howell, aims to ban any 'wearable computer with head mounted display' behind the wheel.
The pre-emptive ban places Google Glass in line with the existing bans on driving while texting or using a phone without a handsfree kit.
"I actually like the idea of the product and I believe it is the future, but last legislature we worked long and hard on a no-texting-and-driving law. It is mostly the young that are the tech-savvy that try new things. They are also our most vulnerable and under skilled drivers. We heard of many crashes caused by texting and driving, most involving our youngest drivers. I see the Google Glass as an extension," Howell tells CNET.
The proposed legislation seeks heavy fines against drivers using Google Glass while they drive in West Virginia. The first offense will cost drivers $100 and every offense following will add an additional $100 to the original fine meaning the second offence will cost $200, a third offense $300 and so on.
"When I choose to use the Google Glass and cross the center-line of the road because I'm reading a text, then my actions affect someone else," the self-explained libertarian explains.
W. Virgina's ban would join a bar in Seattle which banned wearing the glasses inside its premises earlier this year.
Google will reportedly release the consumer version of Google Glass sometime later this year and according to various speculations, the product will be priced around $1,500.
