Illinois poised to become first state banning smart glasses while driving

Illinois Could Be the First State to Ban Wearing Smart Glasses While Driving

Omar Gallaga has covered technology, digital culture and other topics for outlets including CNET, NPR, WIRED, Texas Monthly, MSNBC, Consumer Reports, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, The Atlantic and the Austin American-Statesman, where he was a longtime tech reporter, editor and podcaster. He lives in the Texas Hill Country. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker will soon decide whether the state will be the first to ban the use of smart glasses while driving. The state legislature passed a bill last month that adds language to the state's driving laws, specifically calling out "artificial intelligence smart glasses" in the same way that using a cell phone is outlawed. If the governor signs the bill into law, it would make Illinois the first to have such a provision on the books. According to the bill, drivers could still use smart glasses while parked or in neutral if traffic is obstructed. Otherwise, drivers would be subject to a maximum $75 fine for a first offense and up to $150 per offense for repeated violations. If the use of smart glasses while driving results in a crash with severe injuries or death, that fine would be a minimum of $1,000. It's unclear whether the governor will sign the bill or when that might happen. Once the bill is delivered, a governor in Illinois has 60 days to sign or veto it. "The governor will carefully review everything that comes across his desk once received by the Illinois General Assembly and before signing," a spokesperson for the governor said in an email to CNET. Pritzker has a mixed record on supporting the tech industry on issues such as quantum computing and jobs in AI but has been opposed to data center incentives and privacy overreach on technology such as biometric data collection. The governor appears to be poised to sign a separate bill that would increase restrictions on social networks in an effort to protect children online. Smart glasses in the news Wearable glasses that can record photos and videos and that use artificial intelligence to perform other tasks have been in the news lately. Not only are tech giants such as Google and Apple developing products in the market, but one of the product category's leaders, Meta, has been under scrutiny for the facial-recognition software it has been developing for its Meta Glasses products. An investigation in Wired found that Meta had already distributed the software to its Meta AI app on mobile devices without activating the feature; the company pulled the software in response to public outcry over the report. Soon after, a different report found that Meta has a license for facial recognition software from Rank One Computing, which develops software for the US military and law enforcement, among other groups.

A US state wants to ban smart glasses while driving, and it could open Pandora's box

Drivers in Illinois may soon have to remove smart glasses before hitting the road Smart glasses are rapidly evolving from niche gadgets into mainstream consumer technology. Devices from companies such as Meta, Google, Apple, and Snap are increasingly capable of displaying notifications, providing navigation, recording video, and even running AI-powered assistants directly in a user's field of view. But one U.S. state is already asking an important question: Should drivers be allowed to wear them behind the wheel? Recommended Videos Illinois lawmakers are considering legislation that would prohibit drivers from wearing smart glasses while operating a vehicle. If passed, the state could become the first in the United States to introduce a law specifically targeting wearable augmented reality devices while driving. The proposal arrives at a time when technology companies are investing heavily in smart glasses as the next major computing platform. While current products remain relatively limited, future devices are expected to display increasingly complex digital information directly in front of users' eyes. Supporters of the legislation argue that introducing virtual content into a driver's field of vision creates new distractions that existing traffic laws were never designed to address. Lawmakers are worried about distraction before the technology goes mainstream The Illinois proposal would ban drivers from using smart glasses that display visual content while operating a motor vehicle. The concern is straightforward. Even if the glasses are designed to assist users, they could also divert attention away from the road. Safety experts have long warned about distracted driving caused by smartphones, infotainment systems, and navigation screens. Smart glasses introduce a new challenge because the display travels with the user rather than remaining fixed to a dashboard or phone mount. Critics of the technology argue that notifications, messages, videos, advertisements, or AI-generated information appearing directly in a driver's line of sight could increase accident risks. The legislation reflects a broader trend among regulators who are attempting to address emerging technologies before they become widespread. Rather than waiting for accidents or legal disputes to occur, lawmakers appear eager to establish guardrails early. Technology companies, however, often argue that wearable displays can enhance safety when implemented correctly. Navigation directions, hazard warnings, and hands-free information access are frequently cited as benefits of augmented reality devices. The debate could affect more than just smart glasses The bigger issue is what comes next. If Illinois moves forward with a smart-glasses ban, it could establish a legal framework that other states may eventually follow. More importantly, it raises questions about how governments will regulate future wearable technologies. The challenge becomes even more complex as artificial intelligence becomes integrated into smart glasses. Future devices are expected to provide real-time translations, contextual information, object recognition, and conversational AI assistance. Determining what constitutes a distraction may become increasingly difficult. The proposal also highlights a growing tension between innovation and public safety. Regulators want to prevent dangerous behavior, while technology companies want the freedom to develop entirely new categories of devices. For now, the Illinois legislation remains under consideration. However, its significance extends far beyond one state. As smart glasses become more capable and more common, lawmakers across the world will likely face the same question. If a driver can legally use a navigation screen, voice assistant, or heads-up display today, where should regulators draw the line tomorrow? Illinois may be the first state trying to answer that question, but it almost certainly will not be the last.