Google Glass and Driving Safety

Long before the invention of the portable phone and our growing dependence on the

information it provides quickly to us, we have suffered from numerous distractions

while on the road.

CD players, radios, items dropped on the floor, food, and other people have plagued

drivers for decades when it comes to driving with divided attention. Can Google Glass

help?

Driving Safety with New Technology

In part to help to solve this problem, Google has now graced the driving world with the

creation of Google Glass.

The frame is rather thin and sports a small screen on the right lens that can bring

information to you completely hands free.

Although it doesn't require your hands to use, Google Glass still requires some of your

attention in order to give it commands on what you want it to do.

Your eyes are still diverted even though you aren't looking at a phone.

Instead of looking down at your hand, you are instead looking up and to the right to see

the screen on the glass.

Does Google Glass Reduce Driver Distraction?

Ben Sawyer, a Psychological researcher at the University of Central Florida, conducted

an experiment to see just how similar texting on a phone and texting using Google Glass were, when it came to distracting drivers.

Driving Safety Survey

Forty people of various ages and texting expertise participated in the study.

Driving a simulator while being subjected to sudden braking, the drivers were instructed to text about a math problem either using

Google Glass or a smart phone.

While Google Glass users recovered from near-accidents and were able to safely recover from a

potentially dangerous situation faster, smart phone users tended to leave more space between them and the car in front of them which provider

more of a safety cushion.

All in all, Google Glass allows drivers to keep their eyes up while driving, but its use still requires enough of your attention to make driving and texting an unwise and unsafe

activity.