ALBANY – The father of the original law banning cell phone use while driving now has a new target: Google Glass.
Before the eyeglass-wearing-smartphone hits the retail market sometime this year, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, a Brooklyn Democrat, says the devices should be just as illegal for drivers as cell phones.
“It’s a distraction for drivers,’’ Ortiz said of his new bill that he said was introduced Monday.
Ortiz, who authored the 2000 New York law that was the nation’s first to ban use of hand-held phones while driving, said he came to his conclusion following a tour last year of the Google headquarters in California.
“While there, someone made the comment that Google Glass is better than having a hand-held cell phone in your hands because you can continue driving and have conversations,’’ Ortiz said today. “So, I tried it, and they were wrong.’’
Ortiz said the combination of the information displayed on the Glass and the ability to use it as a phone should keep it away from drivers in New York.
“It’s dangerous to the public safety,’’ Ortiz said today. “This legislation is about addressing a public safety issue. You cannot be driving and try to believe you can have a Google Glass and have a normal conversation because it’s not going to happen. It’s very difficult. It’s very distracting and I think before anyone wants to try … we need to take action before the bird gets out of the cage.’’
Google fans insist the device is safe, and they have been touting a new app unveiled this week that alerts drowsy drivers if they are nodding off while on the road.
email: tprecious@buffnews.com
Before the eyeglass-wearing-smartphone hits the retail market sometime this year, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, a Brooklyn Democrat, says the devices should be just as illegal for drivers as cell phones.
“It’s a distraction for drivers,’’ Ortiz said of his new bill that he said was introduced Monday.
Ortiz, who authored the 2000 New York law that was the nation’s first to ban use of hand-held phones while driving, said he came to his conclusion following a tour last year of the Google headquarters in California.
“While there, someone made the comment that Google Glass is better than having a hand-held cell phone in your hands because you can continue driving and have conversations,’’ Ortiz said today. “So, I tried it, and they were wrong.’’
Ortiz said the combination of the information displayed on the Glass and the ability to use it as a phone should keep it away from drivers in New York.
“It’s dangerous to the public safety,’’ Ortiz said today. “This legislation is about addressing a public safety issue. You cannot be driving and try to believe you can have a Google Glass and have a normal conversation because it’s not going to happen. It’s very difficult. It’s very distracting and I think before anyone wants to try … we need to take action before the bird gets out of the cage.’’
Google fans insist the device is safe, and they have been touting a new app unveiled this week that alerts drowsy drivers if they are nodding off while on the road.
email: tprecious@buffnews.com