In what might be a first , a woman in California received a traffic ticket for wearing Google Glass while driving . Cecilia Abadie was pulled over for speeding on Tuesday in San Diego and given an additional citation for driving while wearing her Google Glass . The officer considered the head-mounted display a monitor that was visible to the driver . Shocked , Abadie posted a copy of the ticket on Google+ . Traffic laws vary state by state , but many now have broad distracted-driving laws or bans on certain monitors that could easily apply to Google Glass . The California law cited in Abadie 's case is meant to prevent people from watching television while driving . V C 27602 prohibits televisions and similar monitors from being turned on and facing the driver . There are exceptions for GPS and mapping tools and screens that display camera feeds to help the driver navigate . If a device has a safety feature that limits its display to approved uses while driving , it can be allowed . `` I think the law is broad enough to say it violates the law , '' said San Diego attorney Mitchell Mehdy , also known as `` Mr . Ticket . '' Mehdy has been working in traffic law for 25 years and said this is the first case he 's heard of involving Google Glass . Abadie says her Google Glass was not turned on when she was pulled over , and that the officer said the screen was blocking her view . The Google Glass display is located slightly above the right eye , not directly in front of the eye . Google does warn users about running afoul of traffic laws in its Google Glass FAQ : `` 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 ! '' However , in another section on navigation , it says Glass can give turn-by-turn directions , `` whether you 're on a bike , in a car , taking the subway , or going by foot . '' Glass fans defended the technology in comments on Abadie 's post , saying that a voice-activated screen close to the eye could actually be safer than trying to check a smartphone or other monitor while driving . `` Glass is far safer than any other means of information delivery . It is out of your view and not distracting , '' said Aaron Kasten , who compared it to checking speed and other information on a car 's dashboard , which requires taking your eyes off of the road . The turn-by-turn directions on Glass can be turned on with a voice command . The display will show a map view , but for extra safety the screen can be turned off while driving so there 's only voice navigation . A Google Glass spokesperson did n't address the ticket directly but emphasized responsible Google Glass usage , saying , `` As we make clear in our help center , Explorers should always use Glass responsibly and put their safety and the safety of others first . More broadly , Glass is built to connect you more with the world around you , not distract you from it . '' Abadie could take the case to court and try to get the Google Glass portion of the ticket dismissed . `` How can this officer prove that this display was being activated or was actually on at the time and what kind of signal she 's getting ? '' said Mehdy . State laws are always adapting to new technology , and Google Glass is still a somewhat rare sighting . The device is only available as part of a beta program and is not yet sold commercially . According to Mehdy , new technology is a tempting target for law enforcement looking for new ways to bring in money . `` There 's a wealth of revenue to be generated from technology . The traffic law enforcement is coming and saying wow , we 've got this new incredible device and we want our piece too , '' said Mehdy . With a mandatory minimum fine in California is $ 162 , this is just the beginning of more tickets for Google Glass wearers according to Mehdy . Law enforcement is increasingly enforcing distracted driving laws . During the month of April , there were more that 57,000 distracted driving tickets issued in California as part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month , according to the California Office of Traffic Safety .
A woman in San Diego was issued a ticket for driving while wearing Google Glass . This is the first known ticket specifically for using the headset while driving . Comment: Exceptions are made for GPS and mapping devices .