For The Reporter
A new study indicates Pokémon Go poses a significant hazard for younger drivers.
The Journal of the American Medical Association released a national report that tracked 14 Pokémon Go related crashes over a 10 day period in July of this year.
The Washington State Patrol is urging drivers to put the brakes on using Pokémon Go or other apps while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. The WSP has already witnessed collisions and dangerous driving behavior as a result of drivers and passengers distracted by the online game.
On July 18, the Washington State Patrol investigated its first collision due to a driver distracted by a Pokémon Go application. The collision occurred on state Route 202 near 332nd Street in Fall City shortly after the popular app was launched. A distracted driver ran into a stopped car carrying a mother and her son. No one was injured.
In addition to the Pokémon Go collision, Troopers have stopped drivers for being distracted while driving with the application open. Over two days in July in the Wenatchee, a trooper stopped two cars for driving while distracted due to the app.
The phenomenon of driving while distracted is growing. According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, fatalities caused by distracted driving increased by 30.8 percent in 2015.
According to the Department of Licensing, 24 percent of young drivers involved in Washington fatal crashes were distracted in 2015, up from 18 percent in 2008. Videos taken inside teenage driver’s car seconds before a crash reveal some startling statistics.
Out of 1,700 videos taken:
• 58 percent of teen drivers involved in moderate to severe crashes were distracted;
• 15 percent included passenger distraction;
• 12 percent included cell phone distraction.
The WSP urges gamers to consider safety over their high score. Below are safety tips to consider before attempting becoming a Pokémon master:
• Do not trespass. Don’t be poking out of bushes at WSP facilities or anyone else’s private property, especially at night. It will most likely trigger security or cause police to respond.
• Don’t catch and drive. It’s more dangerous than texting while driving.
• If you’re on your way to a PokéStop, know your surroundings and pay attention to where you’re going and who’s around you.
