Ever since the augmented reality game "Pokemon Go" was released last year, there have been some concerns about the app's effect on road safety. This is mainly because of the incidence involving its gamers who have kept using the app even while driving. Now, the worries have been given substance, as a new study shows that "Pokemon Go" has indeed led to increased traffic accidents, injuries, and even deaths.
The study from Purdue University found that the release of the "Pokemon Go" app last year had a considerable effect on the number of traffic accidents. The data that the study used came from Tippecanoe County in Indiana.
The statistics showed that the number of traffic-related accidents rose sharply in areas that were near PokeStops, where "Pokemon Go" trainers usually gather to battle and collect in-game monsters. The study determined that in the county, accidents related to "Pokemon Go" have led to two deaths, 31 injuries, and a million dollars' worth of vehicle damage.
If the data were to be extrapolated to include the entire country, it would show that the game could have caused over 250 deaths, as well as 29,000 injuries in over 145,000 traffic incidents. However, the study also warned that extrapolation of this magnitude was only speculative.
Niantic itself has made steps to discourage drivers to use the app. One month since it was released, the app gave a warning to players when it detects that the device is moving too fast. A message was displayed by the app, saying, "You're going too fast! Pokémon Go should not be played while driving." Then the app gives player the option to confirm that he or she is a passenger, and continue playing.
The company then made some more changes last November, disabling the game from being played in a fast moving vehicle, even for passengers. This update, plus the decrease in the game's popularity in the subsequent months, contributed to a lesser number of traffic incidents related to the game.
