No, you should not play Pokémon GO while driving a car. It is extremely dangerous, illegal in most places, and the game's mechanics are specifically designed to prevent it. The core issue is distracted driving, which significantly increases the risk of a crash. In November 2016, the game had a speed lock feature that would prevent Pokémon from appearing and PokéStops from being spun if the game detected you were moving faster than approximately 20-25 mph, making it largely unplayable for a driver.
The dangers are well-documented. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), taking your eyes off the road for just five seconds at 55 mph is like driving the length of a football field blindfolded. Many states had already enacted or were strengthening laws against handheld device use while driving. Beyond legality, it's a matter of personal and public safety. A moment of distraction to catch a rare Pokémon can have permanent consequences.
If you are a passenger, it is possible to play, but you must be cautious. The game's GPS can be erratic, and the passenger experience was often frustrating due to the speed lock. The best practice is to have the driver pull over safely to a parking lot before anyone in the vehicle engages with the game. The November 2016 period was also when Niantic was actively rolling out updates to improve these safety features and discourage playing while in a moving vehicle.
| Safety & Gameplay Consideration (Nov 2016) | Key Data / Statistic | Source / Rationale |
|---|
| Typical Speed Lock Trigger | ~20-25 mph (~30-40 km/h) | Game data analysis from player reports |
| NHTSA Distracted Driving Fatalities (2016) | 3,450 deaths (U.S. annually) | Official NHTSA 2016 report |
| Reaction Time Delay with Phone Use | Increased by ~35-40% | Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study |
| States with Texting Bans (Late 2016) | 46 states + D.C. | Governors Highway Safety Association |
| In-Game Warning Message | "Don't play Pokémon GO while driving" | Mandatory prompt upon logging in |
