Two of the biggest road safety groups in Britain have warned drivers in Britain not to try to play the smartphone game Pokémon GO while driving their car.
The Pokémon GO mobile game has become immensely popular in America, Asia, Australia and European countries including the UK. The game was officially released in Britain last week.
Due to the immense popularity of the augmented-reality game, plus some troubling reports in America, there are fears that drivers in the UK may try and play Pokémon GO while behind the wheel. Research from IAM RoadSmart last year found that eight per cent of motorists have driven while using a video-calling app on their phone such as FaceTime or Skype.
With all this in mind, spokespeople from both IAM and the RAC have warned drivers to avoid the temptation to try and drive and play the Pokémon game simultaneously.
IAM and RAC urge caution
IAM’s digital content executive Samson Rwangu said: “I nearly tripped over playing this game. Pokémon GO makes you concentrate on catching characters and it takes both hand and eye coordination.
“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.”
RAC spokesman Pete Williams said: “The game is an encouragement for people to get out and explore their locality, and beyond, in their search for Pokémon characters, but it is critical that drivers are not tempted to have the app running on their mobile phones when driving.”
Williams has also urged pedestrians not to get too distracted playing Pokémon GO while doing things like crossing the road. He added: “The risks are obvious, but this feels like a whole new level of gaming addiction, and yet another reason for people to be glued to their smartphones instead of looking where they are going.”
