Google’s hi-tech frames may make it easier for users to email and surf the web, but they can also earn the ire of traffic police as one woman discovered.
Californian blogger Cecilia Abadie was pulled over by police in San Diego and given a ticket for speeding and driving while wearing Google Glass.
“A cop just stopped me and gave me a ticket for wearing Google Glass while driving!
The exact line says: Driving with Monitor visible to Driver (Google Glass),” the blogger wrote along with a picture of the ticket she posted on Google+.
As Abadie explained to the hundreds who responded to her online post, the device was turned off at the time she was pulled over.
“Glass was not on and I honestly don’t use it much while driving but I do wear. He (the policeman) kept saying it was blocking my view,” she said.
While Abadie did admit to was speeding but she said Google Glass should be legal to use a hands-free device.
“There’s a difference between wearing Glass and watching Glass. Also it doesn’t seem like you ever tried Glass, when you do you realize it’s an excellent hands free device for GPS and calls,” she said in response to a post agreeing with the ticket.
“And yes, the speeding was legit first reason for the ticket +Richard Steinbicker, there’s no third reason. The cop was being really nasty and asking me again and again why I was wearing Google Glass in the car, ” she said in response to another Google user questioning her actions.
The ticket cites a law in California designed to make it illegal for drivers to watch TV while driving. The law does make exceptions for mounted GPS tools and devices which have safety features that limit their displays.
“I think Glass is the best hands free device out there at the time and hope some lawyer wants to help clarify this,” Abadie said.
Google wouldn’t comment directly on the case, but did say: “As we make clear in our help center, Explorers should always use Glass responsibly and put their safety and the safety of others first. More broadly, Glass is built to connect you more with the world around you, not distract you from it,” a spokesperson told CNN.
Abadie, who is yet to have her day in court could contest the Google Glass portion of the ticket as some legal experts argue the onus would then be on police to prove her device was on and that it inhibited her driving.
Meanwhile, Google is expanding the availability of its internet-connected eyewear to more people, but not the general public just yet.
Google said on Monday that it is allowing the 10,000 or so people who have been globally testing out its wearable computer worth around $1500 to invite three friends to buy it. The invites will be available in the coming weeks.
Google says it’s also letting users who bought their device before Monday to swap their Glass for a new one.
The new devices have been updated to work with prescription frames and include a single earbud.
Glass has a hands-free camera that shoots photos and video through voice commands.
This story originally appeared on News.com.au.