Illinois Passes Ban on Smart Glasses While Driving

Illinois is poised to become the first state in the U.S. to explicitly ban drivers from using smart glasses while operating a vehicle. A bill expanding the state's distracted driving laws to include "artificial intelligence smart glasses" has passed the legislature and awaits final approval from Governor JB Pritzker.

The legislation updates the definition of an electronic communication device to include smart glasses, placing them under stricter regulation than cellphones. While Illinois law permits hands-free or voice-operated use of phones, the new measure explicitly states that these exceptions do not apply to smart glasses. This means drivers would be prohibited from using the devices even in hands-free mode or when stopped in traffic with the vehicle in park.

Supporters of the ban argue that projecting digital content directly into a driver's field of vision creates a novel and dangerous distraction that existing laws do not adequately address. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who has signaled support for the bill, stated that the risk is the same whether a distraction is in a driver's hand or in front of their eyes. The legislation is part of a broader public safety...