NSC Calls on Pokémon Go Players to Enjoy It Safely
The National Safety Council is urging pedestrians and drivers to exercise caution while playing the wildly popular game.
The National Safety Council is asking pedestrians to exercise caution while playing the Pokémon Go game, as well as telling drivers to refrain from playing the game behind the wheel.
"Distraction is a well-documented threat to safety, both on foot and on our roads. Distracted walking has contributed to more than 11,000 injuries in the last decade[i]; distracted driving has killed thousands," its statement said, citing data from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). "Every single injury and death could have been prevented if pedestrians and drivers stayed alert and prioritized the task at hand."
NSC noted that reports of close calls associated with playing Pokémon Go "already are rolling in" and urged those playing it "to consider safety over their scores before a life is lost. No race to 'capture' a cartoon monster is worth a life."