Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Google co-founder Sergey Brin wears a Google Glass device Jeff Chiu/AP/Press Association Images

Government considers banning drivers from wearing Google Glass

The wearable technology is currently being trialed on a limited basis but one government has already decided it is likely to ban the smart-glasses when they are launched next year.

THE DEPARTMENT OF Transport could be set to follow the lead of the UK in issuing a ban on drivers wearing the new Google Glass product before it is launched to the public next year.

The new wearable technology is currently being trialed by Google with a small number of developers testing the glasses which provide smartphone-like information in handsfree format via voice commands.

Already, the government in the UK has this week indicated that it will seek to ban the use of technology on the roads there, issuing penalty points to those who are in breach of the ban.

Only a small number of people the UK are thought to be currently using the device. It is not known if any Irish developers have the glasses though a number have tested them in recent months.

In response to a query from TheJournal.ie, the Department of Transport here said that it is concerned about the use of the new technology.

A spokesperson said: “The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport considers all such issues in terms of their impact on road safety.

“The Department is concerned that the use of this technology in its current form would distract motorists and therefore could represent a safety hazard.”

It said it is now in consultation with the Road Safety Authority, gardaí and “other key stakeholders” ahead of issuing a formal policy decision.

VIDEO: 6 of the best parodies of Google’s Project Glass

VIDEO: Google’s new ad for its ‘Glass’ glasses

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
69 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gingerman
    Favourite gingerman
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 8:07 AM

    Driving requires complete focus and concentration. Anyone who hasn’t the intelligence to grasp this shouldn’t have a licence

    420
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Trevor McLoughlin
    Favourite Trevor McLoughlin
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 8:25 AM

    Quite agree, spotted someone eating a pizza while driving yesterday. Are we living so much in the fast lane, that we can’t stop off for 15 minutes to eat a meal?

    167
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pàdraig Mac Cnáimhin
    Favourite Pàdraig Mac Cnáimhin
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 8:27 AM

    So you would like to ban all woman from the road then?

    167
    See 22 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Hyland
    Favourite Sean Hyland
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 8:27 AM

    This in nuts. We’ll laugh at the backwardness of this ban in the Years ahead. Already in use in military systems head up displays will be the future of driving cars too. Apps specifically for aiding drivers will prevent millions of road deaths.

    103
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Linda Phelan
    Favourite Linda Phelan
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 9:08 AM

    Who mentioned banning women off roads, statically we’re better drivers

    88
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan Duffy
    Favourite Brendan Duffy
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 9:12 AM

    Statistically maybe, but statically we’re all the same…..

    137
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adrian de Cleir
    Favourite Adrian de Cleir
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 9:14 AM

    That’s because statically you’re not moving.

    138
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Zachary W. Hennessy
    Favourite Zachary W. Hennessy
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 9:19 AM

    There are lies, damn lies and statistics

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ned Daly
    Favourite Ned Daly
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 9:26 AM

    In exchange for a license women should be forced to hand over their make up bag and their phone.

    136
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Linda Phelan
    Favourite Linda Phelan
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 9:32 AM

    @ned I see plenty male drivers using phone while driving so gonna hand over your to?

    68
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mjhint
    Favourite Mjhint
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 9:33 AM

    Linda where are all the female truck drivers. I dont disagree that women are better drivers but the statistics argument is quiet vague. I have been driving trucks for twenty years all over Europe & beyond & female drivers are still rare. This would suggest that men are doing the most of the driving which of coarse does not do your statistics any favour.

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Linda Phelan
    Favourite Linda Phelan
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 10:00 AM

    @mjhint the article was never bout female drivers but one or 2 male chauvinists decided to make it so, just cos your a truck driver don’t go talkin down to me, I’ve been driving 15yrs only one accident in that time when a male truck driver ran into me, but I won’t tar all truck drivers just cos of one incident….so its unfair to say women are bad drivers just cos we don’t get hard on from revving our engines or seeing how fast we can go thinking we’re on a F1 track

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mjhint
    Favourite Mjhint
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 10:28 AM

    I have been driving 20 years & do between 120k kms & 150k kms a year & i have had a number of accidents although none serious so your suggestion is your a better driver than I am. My only arguement is you use statistics to justify your position & I have pointed out that its not accurate as males do more driving. Its not an anti woman stance as I did say women maybe safer drivers. Your argument is a strawman. Oh dear should that be straw person.

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maurice Riordan
    Favourite Maurice Riordan
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 10:33 AM

    Haha. I admire your dynamism, Ade.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pàdraig Mac Cnáimhin
    Favourite Pàdraig Mac Cnáimhin
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 10:42 AM

    But you guys cause more crashes! Pet hate, woman combing hair in the morning fixing their make up! Get up 5 mins earlier! Dumbasses! Oh and just because you put your indicator on does not give you the right to move lane ya do so when safe!

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Linda Phelan
    Favourite Linda Phelan
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 10:52 AM

    Firstly why are u makin this all bout you, if u read that again I never said I was a better driver than u, how do I kno how u drive? Same as u don’t kno how I drive, my dad and bro and uncle are all truck drivers and don’t slate women drivers. Secondly I didn’t do the statistics and yes I did use it, there are as many female drivers now as males just cos we don’t drive trucks means nothing, whether ur male or female driving takes concentration which is what the article is about

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Linda Phelan
    Favourite Linda Phelan
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 11:15 AM

    So was it a woman that caused and killed those 2 poor boys in Donegal last nyt?? I think not. I agree wit u on combing hair and applying make up but I’m not one of those woman so don’t make us out to be all the same

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Burke
    Favourite Alan Burke
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 11:30 AM

    Linda you’ve made a big deal out of a lighthearted joke. Get back to bed there.

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Linda Phelan
    Favourite Linda Phelan
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 11:48 AM

    Well Alan ur entitled to ur opinion as am I

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ron Kingston
    Favourite Ron Kingston
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:28 PM

    Yeah but how can you limit it to driver specific apps? Most people will end up going through Facebook or Twitter posts or god knows what else, definitely not safe, military heads up displays are designed for one purpose and contain info a normal driver has no need for, better off keeping concentration on the road.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Justin Donoghue
    Favourite Justin Donoghue
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:43 PM

    Completely agree gingerman

    - sent from my iPhone while driving

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute On Raglan Road
    Favourite On Raglan Road
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:45 PM

    This is not years ahead, this is now.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute On Raglan Road
    Favourite On Raglan Road
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:52 PM

    My comment was to Sean Hyland

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gráinne Ní Bhriain
    Favourite Gráinne Ní Bhriain
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 1:24 PM

    Your a miss daisy driver thats coming from another woman! But statistically how much women are distracted on the road with the kids in the back fightin dunno how many a these near crashes ive seen or how often a woman can look before changin lanes rare! Now sayin that a block did the same. Nothing wrong with wanting to see what we get out of our cars. Just shows weve an interst in them compared its just to get from a t b. Some women are lethal on the road and should not be handed a license.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Linda Phelan
    Favourite Linda Phelan
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 1:48 PM

    Well grainne as I said everyone entitled to their opinion

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pàdraig Mac Cnáimhin
    Favourite Pàdraig Mac Cnáimhin
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 8:12 AM

    Do we really have to copy everything the English government do? We where banning porn last week because England are banning it, this week it’s the google glasses. Can we not make up our own minds? What’s next?

    121
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AggressiveSecularist
    Favourite AggressiveSecularist
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 8:16 AM

    Should we allow dangerous road habits just because they’re banned in the uk? Sounds like you let UK govwrnment decusions influence you too much.

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mjhint
    Favourite Mjhint
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 9:41 AM

    Padraig the rsa are being trained by vosa which is the UK authority for road safety. If i phone the rsa about tacograph legislation they will send me an email which is always cut & paste from the bosa website. All road legislation is copied from the UK & the new rules for HGV maintenance is an exact copy of vosa legislation. Our gardai are also getting training in traffic law that is copied from the Uk. To answer we have to copy the UK because our authorities do not have these skills.

    45
    See 6 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Ryan
    Favourite Martin Ryan
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 9:58 AM

    Mj,I travel around the uk regular and even though the motorways are busier I feel much safer,that m50 we have here is a death trap and I am not necessarily talking about the drivers on it,it’s design was incredibly badly thought out.

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mjhint
    Favourite Mjhint
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 10:31 AM

    I agree Martin Im here today & the motorways in some places are safer. In my view its not the police that have created this but the British public themselves as they have a better understanding of road craft & tolerance.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pàdraig Mac Cnáimhin
    Favourite Pàdraig Mac Cnáimhin
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 10:36 AM

    Well than maybe we should be governed by England

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ryan Ash
    Favourite Ryan Ash
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:22 PM

    There are also some states in the US considering whether to ban it too. Technically we are copying those too. So maybe that will cheer you up a bit Pàdraig! Or is it just the UK you have the problem with?

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Justin Donoghue
    Favourite Justin Donoghue
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:45 PM

    I wonder what the stats are on road deaths on the M50…

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute On Raglan Road
    Favourite On Raglan Road
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 1:14 PM

    @AgressiveSecularist. Yes we should follow UK traffic law on lane hogging, by slapping a €120 fine and two penalty points.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Campbell
    Favourite John Campbell
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 8:01 AM

    The usual silliness. Ban everything but police nothing eg mobile phone ban while driving. A joke.

    77
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eamonn Leahy
    Favourite Eamonn Leahy
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 9:00 AM

    On a side note , If people with smartphones are being targeted by criminals on the streets then imaging what the people with google glass are setting themselves up for .

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Burke
    Favourite Alan Burke
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 9:05 AM

    Ahh but the google glass can record your attacker and send the video to your cloud storage. It can also give you an early warning of any attack kinda like a “spidey-sense”.

    Genius technology.

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eamonn Leahy
    Favourite Eamonn Leahy
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 9:20 AM

    Fair enough , basically it’s woman you’ll be wearing so .. It will know where everything is and remember everything to use against you for future evidence …

    48
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Justin Donoghue
    Favourite Justin Donoghue
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:48 PM

    You’re more likely to get arrested for crime against fashion methinks. Who is actually going to wear a pair of google glasses, be honest now please. It’s another google PR trick to keep themselves in the news just like their pilotless car. The Germans were doing that yrs ago.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen West
    Favourite Stephen West
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 8:16 AM

    This is a good thing

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoin Molloy
    Favourite Eoin Molloy
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 7:54 AM

    Did they forget the brown envelope or what?

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Begrudgy
    Favourite Begrudgy
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 8:04 AM

    No. I think a certain fruity named company didn’t forget.

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute johnmeehan
    Favourite johnmeehan
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 9:13 AM

    Stupid people need to get off this planet! Heads up displays HUD are the future in vehicle diagnostics not analog clocks. There isn’t a military vehicle being designed that doesn’t use one. All for the purpose of not distracting the driver/pilot from primary objective of driving or flying. How the display is put in your field of vision is irrelevant. Google glass will be a glorified sat nav for most people just displayed in a safer manner for the user.

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ron Kingston
    Favourite Ron Kingston
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:34 PM

    Yeah or watching f**ckin YouTube cat videos and texting.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Justin Donoghue
    Favourite Justin Donoghue
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:53 PM

    You can’t compare military to civilian. What military land vehicle uses HUD while driving at 90km/h on a 2 lane road with other military vehicles going at the same speed in both directions….

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor Power
    Favourite Conor Power
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 9:31 AM

    You can currently use a Sat nav or your phone for navigation which requires you to take your focus from the road. As stated by others here a HUD is safer because it overlays information while you maintain your view of the road.

    If they ban Google glass they should ban standard sat nav too.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Justin Donoghue
    Favourite Justin Donoghue
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:55 PM

    Sat nav doesn’t play keyboard cat videos though

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jill :D
    Favourite Jill :D
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 9:03 AM

    I Will be gob-smacked If the Google Glass isn’t band on Irish roads. Anyone with any knowledge of the product knows it would be a major hazard!

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Burke
    Favourite Alan Burke
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 9:05 AM

    You obviously don’t have much knowledge of HUD.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Justin Donoghue
    Favourite Justin Donoghue
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:50 PM

    If HUD was so safe Alan wouldn’t it be in all cars by now on the windscreen?

    2
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Burke
    Favourite Alan Burke
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 4:32 PM

    In some newer models it is.

    In 5 years time it’ll be the norm.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Elizabeth Walsh
    Favourite Elizabeth Walsh
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 9:51 AM

    Any of up who are driving have seen high usage of mobile phones – already banned and carry points for mis use. Considering this can not seem to be policed how could these glasses – they would be probably impossible to distinguish at any distance , the users would simply look like they were wearing spectacles.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Roc
    Favourite Paul Roc
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 9:17 AM

    Some Peugeot have the option for a Head Up Display, should that be banned also?

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aodhan O Cuana
    Favourite Aodhan O Cuana
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 9:35 AM

    Based on my driving experiences between Slane and Navan; it would record some of the madness I have seen, experienced and escaped from! I say trial them with a focus to highlighting bad driving!

    In Slane a driver drove on the wrong side of the road in to the main junction of that town and could have caused themselves, their family and me a whole lot of hurt! Yet the driver gestured at myself?

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mairtin O Dubhshlaine
    Favourite Mairtin O Dubhshlaine
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 9:15 AM

    Women are better behind a pramb lol

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute R
    Favourite R
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 11:37 AM

    ‘pram’. And no.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aimie Walsh 
    Favourite Aimie Walsh 
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 11:50 AM

    Pramb…. Haha !! That made me laugh….. The b is silent so? Cos your a big B

    11
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Justin Donoghue
    Favourite Justin Donoghue
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:54 PM

    25 today so I am! Ye big hamb!

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Akintola Brady
    Favourite Akintola Brady
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 7:59 AM

    At the end of the day, it’s companies such as Google who pay the salaries of these government busy-bodies.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ted Carroll
    Favourite Ted Carroll
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 8:23 AM

    Yeah great point lets allow any company contributing to our economy do as they please! That’ll end well!

    76
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jamie Edwards
    Favourite Jamie Edwards
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:32 PM

    I think all our legislators can do is look at the UK and copy their decisions.

    Google class is a hands free set. A simple phone conversation can prove distracting hands free or not, if not take. Seriously.

    Google glass has not arrived here, there’s zero evidence it would cause a crash, the government has no idea what they are on about.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Noonan
    Favourite Chris Noonan
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:13 PM

    Have any of these people considering banning them actually used them!

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute shaunandelly
    Favourite shaunandelly
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 9:35 AM

    Safety is the excuse.The expansion of sousveillance is what they really don’t like.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Kavanagh
    Favourite Mary Kavanagh
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 10:34 PM

    My phone has turn by turn navigation with spoken directions and if I know a shortcut it will adjust the direction to my GPS signal. So I never have to take my eye off yhecroad. How cool is that?

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patch Quinn
    Favourite Patch Quinn
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 11:31 AM

    I dont think ive ever seen an irish person wear these glasses.2

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keith Murphy
    Favourite Keith Murphy
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 10:27 AM

    So if the iron man suit were available it would be banned from roads because it has a HUD? And would be a distraction?

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick
    Favourite Patrick
    Report
    Aug 4th 2013, 12:49 PM

    Im waiting for google bifocals.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry T Bird
    Favourite Larry T Bird
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 1:08 PM

    I always smile at (and avoid) the people who drive with a sat nav stuck right smack in their line of vision on the front window

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Stapleton
    Favourite Martin Stapleton
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2013, 11:23 AM

    Very impressed by the forward thinking here.
    Any chance our Departments would deal with problems before they arise?

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds