The phenomenon that is Pokemon Go has officially arrived in the UK this week, prompting a leading road safety organisation to appeal for motorists to avoid playing the mobile phone game while driving.
“Kids and adults alike are going crazy for this game”, said Samson Ruwangu of IAM Roadsmart, himself a Pokemon Go player. “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. I nearly tripped over playing this game. Pokemon Go makes you concentrate on catching characters and it takes both hand and eye coordination.”
The mobile phone game involves seeking out Pokemon characters in real life settings, and with research by IAM Roadsmart showing that motorists – and especially younger drivers – are becoming increasingly addicted to smartphone use, the organisation is mindful that Pokemon Go could present yet another temptation. A study last year found that 8% of drivers admitted making a video call at the wheel, with that figure doubling for 18-24 year olds, while 9% of drivers confessed to taking a selfie while driving. The worst offenders for taking a selfie at the wheel were in the 25-35 age bracket, with 19% admitting doing so, while men were found to be more than twice as likely to take a selfie while driving than women.
Avid player of the game, Christian Long of Erdington, had this to say, "I feel like it's the game I have been waiting for all my life. The moment I caught my first Pokemon I knew I had gotta catch them all. I have to admit it has been tempting whilst driving around to see if there's any Pokemon nearby, but you really need to pick and choose your Pikachu catching moments and only play when it is safe and suitable to do so. At the moment I just can't wait for the weekend to come so I can further my quest to becoming the Pokemon master i've always dreamed of being. Gotta catch them all, gotta get them all, chinPokemon!"
Long time best friend of Christian, William Speksnyder - who is 18 days younger but infinitely more mature - said the following, "I can't believe that Christian is pushing 30 and is still into Pokemon, it does make me worry for his safety but i'm glad he has pledged to never play it whilst behind the wheel. I've managed to resist downloading the new app and won't be doing so. To be honest, I have never really got over the time when I spent £20 on a packet of limited edition Pokemon cards when I was 19, I was well and truly brainwashed and I won't be flirting with that slippery slope ever again!"
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