Pokemon Go has prompted safety advocacy groups to urge drivers to stay alert to the potential risks associated with distracted driving-related crashes. But Pokemon Go didn’t start the distracted driving trend. As it stands, it’s only making it worse.
According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, eight people die and about 1,000 others are injured each day in distracted driving-related crashes. The epidemic is just now becoming a more widely known issue simply because the popular Pokemon Go game has put distracted driving in the news. Nevertheless, things might end up becoming much worse before they get better simply because drivers still tend to ignore the risks. Even when they are aware that distracted driving may lead to serious, even deadly results.
In a survey carried out by the National Safety Council, at least 33 percent of respondents claimed they had used Instagram while behind the wheel. About 74 percent of respondents said they had used their phones to browse Facebook while driving.
With these numbers, it’s easy to see how Pokemon Go may have turned into a problem now, but the app itself is not the only distraction jeopardizing the safety of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians everywhere.
According to experts, the distracted driving trend is far from over. But as law enforcement agencies and other private organizations come up with their own educational efforts to help drivers understand the risks, each new survey asking drivers whether they drive while distracted proves that yes, drivers continue to be distracted while behind the wheel, even when they know the risks.
If you’re a driver—and a parent—remember that distracted driving is a serious risk that will not only impact you, but also anyone sharing the road with you. Instead of teaching others who ride along to make bad decisions, help your children and your friends understand the importance of putting safety first by leading by example.
If you want to learn more about distracted driving and how it’s making us all less safe, watch the video below or click here for more details.
