West Virginia lawmaker urges Google Glass ban, citing cat video risk

A West Virginia legislator brought a touch of humor to the recent debate over whether to ban drivers from using Google Glass behind the wheel.

2014-03-29

March 29, 2014 (Press-News.org) West Virginia lawmaker urges Google Glass ban, citing cat video risk

Article provided by Hoover Andrews, PLLC
Visit us at http://www.hooverandrews.com

West Virginia legislator Gary Howell made news across the nation recently when he mentioned cat videos as an example of why drivers should be barred from using Google Glass behind the wheel.

Google Glass, which is not yet available to the general public, is an eyeglasses-shaped mobile device that users control by speaking and blinking their eyes. Among other things, the device can be used to take pictures, access the internet, and -- as Howell pointed out -- even watch cat videos, all using images projected in front of viewer's eyes.

Google lobbyists ask lawmakers to reconsider

Howell, a Republican member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, is the sponsor of a bill that would make it unlawful to wear Google Glass while driving. A handful of other states are considering similar measures designed to help reduce the risk of distracted driving accidents involving Google Glass users, but some say the proposed bans are ill advised.

Google Inc. itself is one of the most vocal opponents of such legislation. The company has sent lobbyists to a number of states in an attempt to sway lawmakers who are considering the bans, Reuters reported recently. Google contends that banning the device would be premature, since it is not yet widely available. However, in West Virginia and a handful of other states, some policymakers appear poised to nip the potential problem in the bud.

Opinions vary on the necessity of banning Google Glass

Although the impact of Google Glass on driving ability is not yet well understood, concerns over its potential to contribute to the nation's growing distracted driving problem appear to be well justified, at least in theory.

Nationwide, distracted driving was a factor in over 3,000 traffic deaths and 400,000 injuries in 2012, according to the U.S. government's distracted driving website, distraction.gov. Cellphones and other mobile devices are among the most common causes of distracted driving accidents, and some say Google Glass could be even more distracting than traditional mobile devices because the screen is projected directly into the user's field of vision.

On the other hand, those who have spoken out against banning Google Glass argue that this feature actually makes the device safer for use while driving by minimizing the amount of time that drivers spend looking away from the road in order to operate it. In addition, they argue, Google Glass is almost entirely hands free. However, a study conducted at Texas A&M Transportation Institute suggests that hands-free devices may create a false sense of security among drivers while actually doing little to improve safety.

Distracted drivers can be liable for injuries

Regardless of the specific cause, distracted drivers are a hazard to themselves and others on the road. When a distracted driver causes a crash resulting in death or injury, he or she can be held financially liable to those who have been harmed. To discuss the possibility of pursuing compensation for your lost wages, medical expenses and other damages if you or a loved one has been in an accident with a distracted driver in West Virginia, get in touch with an experienced personal injury lawyer.

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Unsafe children's rides cause 4,400 serious injuries annually

2014-03-29

Unsafe children's rides cause 4,400 serious injuries annually Article provided by Wall Ellison LLP Visit us at http://www.wallellison.com Georgia law requires that malls and businesses must keep their premises safe for all visitors, including children. Unfortunately, when it comes to the children's rides that are often found at Georgia's malls, grocery stores and other business locations, safety is all too often overlooked. A report released in 2013 by Nationwide Children's Hospital showed that approximately 4,400 children are treated in U.S. emergency rooms each ...

The law protects those injured at the workplace

2014-03-29

The law protects those injured at the workplace Article provided by The Bainbridge Firm LLC Visit us at http://www.bainbridgefirm.com In January 2012, a customer service employee for Ohio Bell went out in the piercing cold and snow to check his truck. In doing so, the worker slipped on black ice and was immediately injured on the job. The problem was that the snow disguised the black ice, which was present on the surface of the ground. When the employee slipped, he reached out to brace his fall with his truck; however, he inevitably sprained his shoulder in the ...

Sex offender registry case under review at US Supreme Court

2014-03-29

Sex offender registry case under review at US Supreme Court Article provided by Rosenblum Schwartz Rogers & Glass PC Visit us at http://www.rsrglaw.com The U.S. Supreme Court met recently to discuss whether to take a sex offender registry case. The appeal comes as many states across the country expand the categories of sex offenses that carry registration requirements. The case being considered originated in Virginia. A swim instructor in her mid-20s had an affair with a student who was under the age of 16. She was convicted of unlawful sex with a teenager ...

Work safety issues at California airport?

2014-03-29

Work safety issues at California airport? Article provided by Harting, Simkins, & Ryan, LLP Visit us at http://www.hsrlegal.com According to officials with a local labor union, California Senator Ted Lieu of Torrance is interesting in addressing the potentially unsafe working conditions at Los Angeles International Airport in California. The focus on work safety at the airport comes a couple of weeks after an airport employee was killed driving on the airfield. At this time, Cal/OHSA, California's regulatory agency for workplace safety, has begun looking into ...

Study shows spinal cord injuries increasing, especially among elderly

2014-03-29

Study shows spinal cord injuries increasing, especially among elderly Article provided by Mark S. Stapleton Visit us at http://www.stapletonlawoffice.com Serious spinal cord injuries have been on the rise in the United States, according to recent research from Johns Hopkins University. However, the leading causes of those injuries appear to be shifting. The Johns Hopkins study was based on an analysis of the emergency room records of more than 43,000 adults who were treated at U.S. hospitals for spinal cord injuries between 2007 and 2009. Although motor vehicle ...

Bad faith claims against insurers in California

2014-03-29

Bad faith claims against insurers in California Article provided by Law Office of Robert F. Keehn Visit us at http://www.rfk-law.com Dealing with insurance companies can be frustrating. People often encounter layers of bureaucracy and delays when making claims with insurers, all while trying to deal with the problem necessitating the claim itself such as an auto accident, medical treatment, damage to a home or onset of a disability. It may seem like the insurance company is deliberately wasting time responding to the claim, and people may feel like there is nothing ...

Deferred Action program results in longer wait times for family green cards

2014-03-29

Deferred Action program results in longer wait times for family green cards Article provided by U.S. Law Center Visit us at http://www.uslawcenteronline.com A controversial new U.S. immigration program is receiving high praise in some circles and harsh criticism in others. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which was implemented in 2012, has offered thousands of young immigrants a way to avoid deportation and receive employment authorization. Unfortunately, while the program has been applauded by many immigrant rights groups, others say the Deferred ...

Know how to spot an aggressive dog

2014-03-29

Know how to spot an aggressive dog Article provided by Attorney Jim Haddad Visit us at http://www.jameshaddadlaw.com When asked how to identify a potentially dangerous dog, most people would say that it is a simple matter of knowing one breed from another. Some might say, too, that larger dogs are more of a threat than smaller dogs. One recent British study suggests, however, that these sorts of characteristics have less to do with whether a particular dog is likely to attack than many people might think. Instead, one of the most important factors in cases involving ...

DACA anniversary brings first wave of renewals

2014-03-29

DACA anniversary brings first wave of renewals Article provided by Oester - Riccobono Visit us at http://www.oesterriccobono.com More than half a million young people have been granted temporary deportation protection under a program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, which went into effect in 2012. As the two-year mark draws closer for many early DACA applicants, it is time to begin the process of renewing their deferrals. DACA is targeted at young undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. The program does not provide a path ...

California now the country's top methamphetamine gateway

2014-03-29

California now the country's top methamphetamine gateway Article provided by Joe Gazzigli, Attorney at Law Visit us at http://www.joegazzigli.com Recently, California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris released a report detailing the state's efforts to identify and prevent organized crime activities originating in Mexico and other countries. One of the key findings of her report is that California is now the country's major point of entry for methamphetamine manufactured by Mexican cartels. While the report praises the current efforts of the federal Drug Enforcement ...