AAA: Don’t Pokémon Go and Drive

Pokémon Go has recently become one of the most popular app-based games. Those playing the game – identified as “Pokémon trainers” – can be found staring at their phones while walking along city streets throughout the U.S., but there is danger if those “trainers” decide to play while behind the wheel.

“Trying to catch a Pokémon while behind the wheel is a major distraction and increases your risk of causing a crash,” said Rose White, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group (Nebraska.aaa.com). “Put your phone down while driving. Just one quick text or glance to see the next Pokéstop could end up costing you or someone else their life.”

It is estimated at any given daylight hour there are 660,000 motorists using a cell phone while driving in the United States. Distracted driving killed 3,179 people and is responsible for 1 out of every 10 deaths on our nation’s roadways, according to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Drivers engaging in an activity such as texting can remain mentally distracted for up to 27 seconds. According to research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, updating social media on your mobile device is just slightly less cognitively challenging than solving a complicated math problem while driving.

Visit AAA online at Nebraska.aaa.com for more tips and information.