Pokémon Go, the smartphone game that was launched in the summer of 2016, enjoyed a huge following but also led to many reports of injuries and accidents as players became distracted or oblivious to their surroundings. A study has shown that drivers are hit especially hard by the phenomenon, which is just one among many possible distractions. Though the results pertained to Tippecanoe County in Indiana, they could be equally relevant in Oklahoma.
Study links Pokémon Go with distracted driving
Proper medication lowers crash risk for drivers with ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a condition characterized by the inability to pay attention, poor impulse control and hyperactivity. A study published by "JAMA Psychiatry" has reviewed the records of over 2.3 million drivers diagnosed with ADHD. As Oklahoma motorists might expect, the research shows that accidents are less frequent among ADHD drivers who take medication than those who do not.
NHTSA seeks to reduce autonomous vehicle regulations
Oklahoma residents may be aware that the U.S. Department of Transportation launched an initiative in October 2016 with the goal of eliminating traffic accident deaths around the country within 30 years. The Road to Zero Coalition is made up of the Federal Highway Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the nonprofit National Safety Council, and much of its efforts will be focused on facilitating the development of autonomous vehicle technology.
