First Citation for Wearing a Google Glass is Issued in San Diego County

In a possible high-tech first, a woman helping Google test its prototype eyeglass-style wearable computer system got a traffic ticket this week for sporting the equipment while driving on Interstate 15 in Tierrasanta, the California Highway Patrol reported Wednesday.

NBC Channel 4 News in Los Angeles identified the woman as Cecilia Abadie, of Riverside County.

An officer with the state agency issued the citation early Tuesday evening to a woman wearing the "Google Glass" device in violation of state Vehicle Code 2760, CHP spokesman Jake Sanchez said. The motorist initially was pulled over for allegedly speeding near Aero Drive.

The law makes it illegal to "drive a motor vehicle if a television receiver, a video monitor, or a television or video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal that produces entertainment or business applications, is operating and is located in the motor vehicle at a point forward of the back of the driver's seat, or is operating and the monitor, screen, or display is visible to the driver," according to Sanchez.

The spokesman said he knew of no other case in which anyone in the state was cited for using the equipment, which is not yet available to the public at large, while behind the wheel.

On a social-networking page, Temecula resident Cecelia Abadie -- a tester, or "Google Explorer," of the technology -- identified herself as the recipient of the ticket and posted a photo of it.

Abadie wrote, "Is #GoogleGlass illegal while driving or is this cop wrong??? Any legal advice is appreciated!! ... Do you know any other #GlassExplorers that got a similar ticket anywhere in the U.S.?"

Abadie was cited for allegedly driving too fast as well as for wearing her Google Glass headset, Sanchez said.

In a question-and-answer section on its website for the technology, Google notes that "most states have passed laws limiting the use of mobile devices while driving any motor vehicle, and most states post those rules on their department of motor vehicles websites."

"Read up and follow the law!" the statement continues. "Above all, even when you're following the law, don't hurt yourself or others by failing to pay attention to the road."

-- City News Service