* The same Illinois legislator who wanted the state government to regulate blog comments has a new idea: Ban Google Glass while driving…
Google’s new computerized glasses aren’t on sale to the general public yet, but the devices already have lawmakers in Illinois and several other states concerned that they’ll become the latest deadly distraction for drivers.
Illinois state Sen. Ira Silverstein filed legislation Tuesday to bar motorists from using the Google Glass devices, which allow wearers to search the Internet, make phone calls and check email.
“It’s just another way people will be distracted,” the Chicago Democrat told the Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises newspapers. “People’s attention to the road should not be interrupted.”
* But…
At the moment, the only Illinois law that would regulate Google Glass usage in cars is related to operating a motor vehicle while watching a video monitor. That law forbids drivers from watching entertainment, like movies and television shows, on a video display while driving.
However, the display can show the driver information about the automobile’s performance, GPS-enabled directions within mapping software and the feed from a rear-mounted camera.
Hypothetically, Google Glass could display any of this information while driving and potentially enhance the driving experience. As a potential solution to appease lawmakers, Google could create some form of driving mode for Google Glass that locks out other distracting applications from use while operating a vehicle. However, it would likely be up to the driver to activate this mode before entering the vehicle.
* And…
However, one application being promoted by [Google] appears to promote the wearing of the glasses while driving.
The company has developed a system in which wearers can direct the glasses to translate road signs into different languages, suggesting that a motorist driving in a foreign country could wear them and still find their way around.
I always have to keep telling myself, this is just a bill. It isn’t a law.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 3:20 pm:
Sometimes I wonder if elected officials like Ira Silverstein and Ed Burke get up in the morning and ask themselves…
What do we need to stop people from doing today…
- PoolGuy - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 3:25 pm:
at least he isn’t trying to ban Google
- David Ormsby - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 3:26 pm:
Silverstein should just draft a bill that bans any new device or activity invented since 1999.
That should both save him time and satisfy his lust to remain glued to the 20th Century.
What a goof.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 3:29 pm:
Dang kids with their internets and phones and texting and the google glass and the wireless devices dang gum it…
Don’t even get him started about the risks of pool halls …
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 3:38 pm:
Instead of this nonsense, Silverstein should try to promote something I would actually to see in Illinois, Google’s self-driving cars.
- Fan - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 3:46 pm:
I am so thankful for pols like Silverstein to protect us from ourselves.
- Jerome Horwitz - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 3:51 pm:
Instead of this nonsense, Silverstein should try to promote something I would actually like to see in Illinois, bills paid on time and a balanced budget.
- Todd - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 3:55 pm:
I think he is going to usurp Tom Dart’s I have an idea I need a bill title
- dupage dan - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 3:56 pm:
To think that Sen Silverstein actually believes in this stuff is too scary to contemplate. I prefer to think he is just lonely and wants attention.
- Wally - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 3:57 pm:
Balancing the budget, paying bills on time and cutting spending, that is hard work. Going after Google Glass, that’s the easy stuff most legislators do!
- A guy... - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 3:58 pm:
Ira, Ira, Ira…
- Chavez-respecting Obamist - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 4:03 pm:
Maybe they watched the Simpsons a couple of weeks ago where Homer got hold of a pair of the glasses.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 4:04 pm:
Are they going to also ban the autonomous (driver-less) robotic cars that are currently being tested and may be available in just a few years? And if they do, will there be a limited exception for the self-parking cars available today?
- countyline - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 4:04 pm:
What’s even scarier is that people continue to vote for clowns like this.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 4:09 pm:
And this is why Sen. Ira has reached the cap of his political career…
- Tsavo - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 4:09 pm:
http://www.theweek.co.uk/technology/google-glass/55860/google-glass-driver-not-guilty-traffic-offence
Google glass driver not guilty article.
- Siriusly - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 4:11 pm:
Ira Silverstein is becoming the Mary Flowers of the Senate. (with apologies to Mary Flowers)
- dupage dan - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 4:22 pm:
Some in the GA may be kooky (see above) Others, IMO are just way gone and mean (I won’t mention any names but the initials are Monique Davis).
- Name Withheld - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 4:24 pm:
Future QotD: What else should Sen. Ira Silverstein propose to regulate/ban next?
“People’s attention to the road should not be interrupted.” - in that case, are we banning children from cars? How about drive-thru at Taco Bell? That burrito dripping on my lap causes a bit of distraction, that’s for sure.
- RonOglesby - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 4:26 pm:
@oneman
“Sometimes I wonder if elected officials like Ira Silverstein and Ed Burke get up in the morning and ask themselves…
What do we need to stop people from doing today… ”
Spot on. there are a bunch of politicians that believe it is the job to protect them from everyone from anything that could possibly be a hazard. But its not just Illinois. Regulation on gas cans have ruined them… I spill more gas now because of EPA rules than I ever did before they started designing these new ones.
Dont be afraid of TECH!
- mokenavince - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 4:38 pm:
Silverstein has a brain f**t and wants to make another law impossible to enforce.
Burke reminds me of Governor Moon Beam in California.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 4:56 pm:
Ira Sileversein is fun…
“If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.”
If Ira Silverstein is bored, legislate it!
- ~pfft - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 4:58 pm:
Can “TRANSPARENT glass allows way too many distractions to drivers” be next?
- Jimbo - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 5:05 pm:
Man, I’m a nanny state dem and I still think Ira is a legislating punchline. This guy’s bills draw inspiration from onion articles
- Judgment Day (Road Trip) - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 5:09 pm:
“…Senator Ira Sileversein…”
No wonder other states are laughing at us. Pathetic, just pathetic.
And in other Sen. Silverstein news, a bill has been introduced requiring parents who have children under the age of fourteen to obtain training and licenses to drive school buses so as to better lean how to cope with distracted driving.
- Smoggie - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 5:17 pm:
He’s also going to save us from 3D printed guns,
http://www.illinoissenatedemocrats.com/index.php/sen-silverstein-home
- Judgment Day (Road Trip) - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 5:19 pm:
“Maybe they watched the Simpsons a couple of weeks ago where Homer got hold of a pair of the glasses.”
Why would I think it’s quite plausible that Senator Ira would be the one trying to make policy for the State of Illinois based on an episode of “The Simpsons”?
- b - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 5:21 pm:
I like the guy and dont think this is worst idea in world. Tell you what blog trolls, you post your bill ideas and we’ll see who the geniuses are.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 5:26 pm:
- b -,
Bad Form. Usually it takes a few more Comments to realize we are all Trolls.
===you post your bill ideas and we’ll see who the geniuses are.===
How about the
“Stop The ‘Drive-By’ Attacks Of Commenters” Bill
Just as “fun” as Ira’s, plus Ira wanted to stop annonymous postings on the Internet, so this might be right up there for ole Ira.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 6:09 pm:
==And in other Sen. Silverstein news, a bill has been introduced requiring parents who have children under the age of fourteen to obtain training and licenses to drive school buses so as to better lean how to cope with distracted driving. ==
Either that, or they will be mandated to use some duct tape as needed.
- Steve - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 6:15 pm:
What would the modern day Democrat party be without restricting someone’s liberty???
- b - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 6:24 pm:
My bad, meant week
- Just The Way It Is One - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 6:42 pm:
Yes, just keep repeating to yourself about such goofiness, “This is just a bill, this is just a bill…” and that may indeed help.
Kind of reminds me of the Ad for that old horror flick, (”The Last House on the Left,” in 1972), when they showed the Trailer for it in the Movie Theater and on TV, and the Narrator would just keep repeating out loud so you would’nt freak out: “It’s ONly a movie, it’s ONly a movie…!” Somewhat subliminal but it may just work!!
- crazybleedingheart - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 6:45 pm:
Yep. Silverstein’s a pretty good target. But when it comes to Democrats with fake “reform” ideas that seem to float down from the sky, can we please take a moment to chuckle at Jay Hoffman’s “Let’s Keep Our Alternative Schools Clean Act”
http://www.bnd.com/2014/02/11/3052874/proposed-bill-would-allow-school.html
- After Hours - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 6:52 pm:
The big question of the session so far is how did Sen. Hastings beat Ira to the “revenge porn” bill? Maybe Ira’s subscription to the National Conf. of State Legislatures Newsletter expired.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 7:21 pm:
==What would the modern day Democrat party be without restricting someone’s liberty??? ==
Where would the modern day Republic party be with out broad brush insults of the DemocratIC Party? Both parties have their Ira Silversteins rolling out silly bills to pander to their base.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 7:23 pm:
Meh. I’m sure the bill made some constiuent happy.
The comparison to Burke is off. His Bloomberg proposals are sleight of hand. It distracts from what he’s really up to. He’s a master manipulator of the press, and the federales, too. No one like him.
- DuPage - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 8:00 pm:
I meant IYC at St. Charles.
- wakado - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 8:22 pm:
Is it just me or is it impossible to like this guy.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 8:23 pm:
Danny Burke is a Song and Dance Man… a fine legislator/politician.
Much respect.
- Curious - Tuesday, Feb 11, 14 @ 9:53 pm:
Thought this would be covered under the NO TEXTING when driving legislation that was passed a couple years ago. If you read the entire bill it states NO personal digital assistance or portable mobile computers. You can’t read or send e-mails or text messages or surf the internet.
- Person 8 - Wednesday, Feb 12, 14 @ 6:57 am:
Having tried Google Glass, I can tell you it is way “safer” to use while driving then almost every other electronic device. The law states you can still use a GPS, Glass also has a GPS program that is voice activated and allows the user to see what is coming WITHOUT taking their eyes off the road.
Would some abuse it, of course. However it is no more dangerous then someone looking down at their radio, or driving with their legs while they eat.
–Curious– You can technically still text as long as it is hands free, which Google Glass is.
- OneMan - Wednesday, Feb 12, 14 @ 8:50 am:
== I like the guy and dont think this is worst idea in world. Tell you what blog trolls, you post your bill ideas and we’ll see who the geniuses are. ==
How about no bills at all? Seriously, just because you can legislate something doesn’t mean you should do so.
How is that for a radical bill idea?
- OneMan - Wednesday, Feb 12, 14 @ 8:59 am:
I think the good senator listens to this song every morning…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHash5takWU&feature=kp
- Judgment Day (Road Trip) - Wednesday, Feb 12, 14 @ 9:08 am:
We could probably get a iRobot Roomba and program it to follow Senator Ira around all day. Course he’d probably trap it on one of the staircases.
Tricky guy, that Senator….
- SamHall - Wednesday, Feb 12, 14 @ 9:14 am:
Probably would be interesting to see if Sen. Ira gets some campaign love from Google…now that they know who he is.
- 3rd Generation Chicago Native - Wednesday, Feb 12, 14 @ 9:26 am:
Illinois state Sen. Ira Silverstein showing you can be pro-active instead of reactive.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 12, 14 @ 9:32 am:
“Illinois state Sen. Ira Silverstein showing you can over-legislate and encourage a nanny-state.”
Better.
- OneMan - Wednesday, Feb 12, 14 @ 9:44 am:
The thing is, I highly doubt that the good senator has spent 30 seconds with a pair of google glasses on his eyes.
Does he know what they do? Does he know you can do things with them without having any sort of ‘display’ in front of you? What if they are used as an assistive device (for example translating street signs, providing some sort of medical warning (lets say they were integrated with an insulin pump). What if you just have the camera on?
I doubt if he is aware of any of that or has given that any thought. I would be a little less likely to scoff if he had demonstrated one iota of a understanding of how technology works.