Skip to content
NOWCAST WISN 12 News at 11:00 a.m.
Watch on Demand
Advertisement

State Patrol warns drivers about playing 'Pokemon Go'

Advertisement
State Patrol warns drivers about playing 'Pokemon Go'
State Patrol issued a warning to drivers Friday about "Pokemon Go."There have been some crashes in Wisconsin involving people playing the augmented reality game while behind the wheel.The warning follows a couple of crashes in Dane County involving drivers who were not only playing "Pokemon Go" while behind the wheel, they're also suspected of driving drunk."Gentlemen searching for Pokemon while they were driving. One ran into a tree, I believe, and one ran into a pole," Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Kyle Amlong said.Amlong said inattentive driving continues to be a big problem in Wisconsin. Last year, 94 people died in crashes because of it."'Pokemon Go' is the new fad. It's just another reason for people to drive inattentively and take their eyes off the road," Amlong said.WISN 12 News found the Gilmore brothers playing "Pokemon Go" in downtown Milwaukee and asked them about playing while driving."I mean, I would not do that. That's not the purpose of it, especially if you're driving," Will Gilmore said."It's obviously not a good idea. I don't think there's much to say about it. If you do that, you're an idiot," Christian Gilmore said.Amlong said he may have discovered why some people end up behind the wheel playing the video game."As soon as I downloaded the app sitting on the side of the interstate, I look out, and there's a Pokemon sitting right in the middle of the interstate. Six lanes of traffic and there he is waiting for me to catch him," Amlong said.As a passenger Friday night riding on Interstate 94 with the "Pokemon Go" app running, WISN 12 News reporter Terry Sater stumbled upon a digital Pokemon right on the interstate.That's something authorities are concerned about.The "Pokemon Go" craze has also taken over Waukesha.Dozens of people were caught on surveillance video at 1 a.m. running around focused on their phones in Frame Park.Police told WISN 12 News they've issued 915 warnings and five citations to people for being in city parks after hours. 

State Patrol issued a warning to drivers Friday about "Pokemon Go."

There have been some crashes in Wisconsin involving people playing the augmented reality game while behind the wheel.

The warning follows a couple of crashes in Dane County involving drivers who were not only playing "Pokemon Go" while behind the wheel, they're also suspected of driving drunk.

Advertisement

"Gentlemen searching for Pokemon while they were driving. One ran into a tree, I believe, and one ran into a pole," Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Kyle Amlong said.

Amlong said inattentive driving continues to be a big problem in Wisconsin. Last year, 94 people died in crashes because of it.

"'Pokemon Go' is the new fad. It's just another reason for people to drive inattentively and take their eyes off the road," Amlong said.

WISN 12 News found the Gilmore brothers playing "Pokemon Go" in downtown Milwaukee and asked them about playing while driving.

"I mean, I would not do that. That's not the purpose of it, especially if you're driving," Will Gilmore said.

"It's obviously not a good idea. I don't think there's much to say about it. If you do that, you're an idiot," Christian Gilmore said.

Amlong said he may have discovered why some people end up behind the wheel playing the video game.

"As soon as I downloaded the app sitting on the side of the interstate, I look out, and there's a Pokemon sitting right in the middle of the interstate. Six lanes of traffic and there he is waiting for me to catch him," Amlong said.

As a passenger Friday night riding on Interstate 94 with the "Pokemon Go" app running, WISN 12 News reporter Terry Sater stumbled upon a digital Pokemon right on the interstate.

That's something authorities are concerned about.

The "Pokemon Go" craze has also taken over Waukesha.

Dozens of people were caught on surveillance video at 1 a.m. running around focused on their phones in Frame Park.

Police told WISN 12 News they've issued 915 warnings and five citations to people for being in city parks after hours.