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Some cars can detect when a driver is falling asleep at the wheel and so too can Google(s goog) Glass. DriveSafe is a new app for Google’s wearable headset that uses the sensors inside Glass to detect if you’re nodding off while driving.

Google Glass owners will have to sideload the software directly on to Glass at the moment; it’s not yet available through Google’s MyGlass application.

Once loaded, the app is enabled by speaking “OK Glass, keep me awake.” From then on, the app monitors you as you drive around and send both an audible and visual alert to jolt your awareness if it detects you’re falling asleep. The software can then help guide you to the nearest rest stop for a break. Users can turn off the sleep detection function by swiping to a Stop option in DriveSafe.

DriveSafe is the brainchild of Jake Steinerman, a frequent long-distance driver, and a small team of three others. Steinerman pointed me to a 2010 AAA report(PDF) that suggests 41 percent of all U.S. drivers admit to have “fallen asleep or nodded off” while driving. Clearly, there’s need for alerting drowsy drivers.

Should Glass be part of the solution?

That’s a tricky question as some may think that wearing Glass can distract while driving. I can see their point, having worn Glass while behind the wheel myself. And we’ve already seen how some municipalities feel about that: A woman in California got a ticket in October for wearing Glass while driving.