Lawmakers in California are introducing a new bill that would make it illegal to play Pokemon Go while driving. This initiative is being put forth to help address the increasing number of reported accidents and deaths linked to the game.
The proposed bill was introduced during a recent State Assembly where Assemblyman Bill Quirk, one of the proponents of the bill, said that the initiative was an important step to reduce incidents of distracted-driving accidents that can lead to death. Since technology is advancing, there are a lot of activities that distract people, especially when controlling a vehicle. The bill would make engaging in those activities, such as playing Pokemon Go, illegal.
Since the Pokemon Go game was released, reports of accidents tied to the game have been increasing. Recently in Japan, a driver playing the game got distracted and hit two pedestrians, leaving one dead and one critically injured.
Overall, the Japanese National Police Agency revealed that there have been 79 cases of reported accidents since Pokemon Go was introduced in the country on July 22.
Niantic, the company behind the game, has advised gamers Pokemon Go should not be used while driving, and that people should be aware of their surroundings. The reminder appears every time the game is booted up.
However, authorities in California think that this reminder from the game developer is not enough to make people figure out that catching a Pikachu is not worth risking the lives of other people.
"This bill will prevent tragedy," a former California Highway Patrol sergeant said.