Think twice before you try to catch 'em all. The NY Department of Motor Vehicles is warning drivers that 'Pokémon Go' is not meant to be used while driving.
The free mobile app is a game that uses GPS and a phone's camera; it allows users to 'catch' virtual Pokémon in real world locations.
There are now multiple reports from around the country of people using the app while driving or crossing busy streets, causing traffic hazards.
“This new, all-consuming Pokémon GO craze has caught the entire country by surprise and as such we are concerned about the consequences playing this game can have on public safety,” said DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner and GTSC Acting Chair Terri Egan.
“Distracted driving is behavior we at DMV and GTSC (Governor's Traffic Safety Committee) speak out against all year long. What is meant to be a fun game can have tragic real-world consequences if you’re playing it while driving or crossing the street. Simply put, catching virtual creatures to get to the next level is not worth risking your life or the lives of others.”
New York State law prevents drivers from doing any of the following while driving:
- holding a portable electionric device
- talking on a mobile phone
- composing, sending, reading, accessing, browsing electronic data such as e-mail, texts or websites
- viewing, taking or sending pictures
- playing games
