Recently, you may have noticed more people buried in their cellphone screens than usual. There is a new mobile game called Pokémon Go. This is a free multiplayer online mobile game based on your location. The new mobile game mimics the original Pokémon game.
What is Pokémon Go?
Users look for Pokémon, catch them, train them and battle with them – all from their smart phone’s screen. The game uses a phone’s GPS sensor to track where the player is and uses Google maps as the primary game board. The characters move within the game on the smartphone, as the user walks around in real life. Places and things are called PokéStops and are associated with specific locations in the real world. In order to interact with the characters, the user must actually walk to that location. The more Pokémon the user catches, the more points are scored. The game is so popular that it debuted at number one on both iPhone and Android.
There have been many happy stories associated with the popularity of the game. For example, a shy, Autistic boy interacting with other children in his neighborhood to catch Pokémon or a local dog shelter enticing volunteers to walk the dogs while hunting for Pokémon. While the game does encourage people to get outside, exercise and interact with others, it has caused some serious accidents since its launch on July 6, 2016. While the game instructions state that users cannot play while driving, there have been multiple news headlines reporting accidents involving Pokémon Go users. Additionally, the game is increasing the already high number of distracted drivers on the road.
Distractions While Driving
Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger drivers, passengers, and bystanders. Other types of distractions include: texting, using a cell phone, eating and drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, reading, watching a video, or using a GPS. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), ten percent of all drivers aged 15 to 19, involved in fatal crashes, were reported to be distracted at the time of the crash. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted at the time of the crashes. At any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using their cell phone while driving.
If you have been the victim of a car crash as a result of a distracted driver, call Beltz & Beltz at 727-201-9944 or 813-559-9090, and speak with one of our lawyers to discuss your case. The call is free.
