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Google Glass claims a victory as case against US woman for wearing device while driving is dropped

By Angela Haggerty, Reporter

January 17, 2014 | 2 min read

A woman prosecuted for wearing Google Glass while driving has had her case dropped after a court ruled that there was no evidence to suggest the device was operating at the time.

Case: The ruling is important for Google Glass

Cecilia Abadie was given a traffic ticket for speeding on 30 October and cited for breaching a US law that forbids drivers from watching TV while driving. However, the court decided in favour of Abadie in what will be an important ruling for Google as it moves forward with the smartwear device.

While court commissioner John Blair said that he believed Google Glass did fall under “the purview and intent” of the law in question, he said that there was “no testimony” that the device was in use while Abadie was driving, and she was therefore free to wear it while driving without prosecution.

Abadie, who develops web and mobile applications for a living, said after the case: “I believe we have to start experimenting with devices like this. A hands-free device is safer than a cell phone.”

In the UK, there is speculation that drivers will be banned from wearing Google Glass when it becomes available to the public. It is set to begin rolling out for purchase this year following a lengthy trial of the product on around 30,000 selected people last year.

The device, which has a tiny camera and display screen controlled by voice command, has previously raised fears over privacy.

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