Several US officials have publicly criticized individuals who use Apple Vision Pro while operating a vehicle, a topic that has generated widespread discussion across national media outlets, including The New York Times. The public discourse centers on safety, legality, and the practical implications of immersive technology in everyday driving scenarios, highlighting that driver attention should remain on the road at all times.
One notable perspective came from the US Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg. Responding to footage showing a person wearing Vision Pro while behind the wheel, he emphasized that all existing driving assistance systems require the driver to stay fully engaged with the driving task. The message underlines a fundamental principle: technology can assist but cannot replace a driver’s situational awareness, vigilance, and control. This stance reflects a broader concern about how hands-free or augmented reality devices might influence reaction times, decision-making, and the ability to monitor multiple hazards simultaneously.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration echoed this sentiment, describing driving with headsets like Vision Pro as reckless and dangerous for all road users. The agency’s framing suggests that consumer adoption of immersive devices in moving vehicles could undermine road safety by diverting attention, impairing perception of speed and distance, and delaying critical responses in dynamic traffic environments. While this position does not ban the technology, it does place a strong cautionary note on its use in motion and reinforces the expectation that drivers remain responsible and engaged.
Tesla did not publicly weigh in on the trend, while Apple provided a clear statement regarding usage rules for Vision Pro in response to media inquiries. Apple indicated that the headset is not to be used while driving a moving vehicle, whether in a car or on a bicycle. The company’s guidance aligns with the broader safety-centric approach being advocated by regulators and industry observers, underscoring the priority given to maintaining driver attention and ensuring that assistive technologies support safe driving rather than replace the driver’s active involvement. In related developments, Vision Pro has undergone ongoing assessments to gauge its practical applications and safety implications in real-world scenarios, including performance under various lighting conditions, ergonomic considerations, and potential distraction risks for users who may be simultaneously navigating traffic environments. Evidence from independent tests and public demonstrations continues to shape the evolving conversation about how best to integrate advanced headsets into the connected automobile ecosystem, with safety as a central benchmark that informs policy, design, and consumer expectations.