LONDON: The new Pokemon Go mobile phone craze has swept the world this week, and is available in Britain from Thursday – but drivers are reminded not to play the game while at the wheel of their cars.
Pokemon Go has been released in the United States, Australia and Germany with its Asian debut scheduled for today.
The game allows a player to seek out Pokemon characters in real life settings via a mobile phone. But the British Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) fears that young drivers especially could go on the search for Pikachu and his friends on the roads.
“Kids and adults alike are going crazy for this game. But the risk is that some people are going to be playing it at the wrong time – and driving a car is the last place you should be looking for Pidgey, Rattata or the others," said IAM RoadSmart digital content executive Samson Ruwangu.
“I nearly tripped over playing this game. Pokemon GO makes you concentrate on catching characters and it takes both hand and eye coordination.”
Research conducted last year by IAM RoadSmart showed the extent to which smartphone use had become an addiction to some.
Eight per cent of drivers admitted to driving while using a video-calling application such as FaceTime and Skype to make and receive video calls, rising to 16 per cent among 18 to 24 year olds.
It found nine per cent of drivers admitted to taking a selfie while driving within "the last month". This increases to 15 per cent of young drivers aged 18-24 and 19 per cent of 25-35 year olds. Women are less selfie obsessed than men, with just five per cent of women citing they have taken a selfie while driving compared to 12 per cent of men (reference 1).
“While looking out for Eevee, Weedle and the rest is great fun, it is important to keep concentration on what matters – and that’s keeping your eyes on the road. Psyduck can wait for later,” said Samson.
The British Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) was set up in 1956 and helps improve driver and rider skills through coaching and education. It also provides advice and publish research into driver and rider behaviour.
