Pokemon school crash1:01
A driver has crashed his car into a school in Berwick will playing Pokemon Go. Courtesy Seven News
Pokemon playing driver crashes into school on Ridgemont Drive, Berwick
DRIVERS crashing cars while playing Pokemon Go could be in for another rude shock — their insurance claims may be rejected.
Understand Insurance spokesman Campbell Fuller warned law-breaking motorists ran the risk of having accident claims fully or partly denied, leaving them with hefty damage costs.
“Handling a phone or other mobile device, such as a tablet or smart watch, while driving is dangerous and against the law in every state and territory,” Mr Fuller said.
“Comprehensive and third-party property motor insurance policies require policyholders to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of themselves and their vehicles. That includes obeying the law.
“If an accident was caused by a driver who was handling their phone, it may result in an insurance claim being denied, and the driver left to cover the repair costs themselves.”
Mr Fuller urged Pokémon pursuers to pull over before pulling out handsets.
“Better yet, use public transport and remove any chance ploughing into another road user or a pedestrian while stalking Snorlax or tracking Tyranitar.”
It comes after a Pokemon-crazed driver crashed into a school while trying “catch ‘em all” on his Pokemon Go app in Melbourne’s southeast.
The “Onix-ceptable” mistake happened when the motorist made an unplanned PokéStop about 6.50pm, crashing his car into a school building on Ridgemont Drive, Berwick.
It is believed the 19-year-old from Berwick was going through a roundabout when he lost control, ran off the road, crashed through a fence and into the school portable building.
Luckily no one was injured.
Leading Senior Constable Julie-Anne Newman said: “any PokéBalls, eggs or potions the driver may have had remaining only attracted police leaving the wild Pokémon for another day.”
The driver had a negative preliminary breath test, but it is expected he will be charged on summons in relation to careless driving.
The crash comes after VicRoads warned motorists this week not to Pokemon and drive.
Warnings have flashed up on 11 electronic signs from North Melbourne to Abbotsford, Richmond to St Kilda Rd.
Assistant Commissioner Road Policing Doug Fryer urged motorists to focus on driving.
“When it first came in I was a little amused I suppose we’re hearing reports about crashes in the US because of Pokemon,” he told 3AW.
“It is a risk, and we are getting people putting their lives at risk playing a game. So, we ask everyone, pedestrians and drivers alike just to focus on what they’re doing.”