Motorists urged to play Pokemon Go responsibly
Motorists and pedestrians who aren’t paying attention while playing Pokemon Go are at risk of being statistics of Injury or death.
Motorists have been warned not to become statistics of accidents when searching for Pokemon creatures.
The Automobile Association (AA) said the game was a cause of concern for motorists as it needed the player’s full attention.
“Pokemon Go players are glued to their screens while walking or driving, concentrating on the screen instead of the road ahead,” the AA said in a statement.
“Reports are already coming in from other countries where people have been involved in crashes as Pokemon Go players were not focusing on the road.”
There have also been reports of road rage incidents because of the game.
“While we are not saying people should not play the game, we urge anyone who is, to play responsibly and be alert… whether driving a car or motorbike or on foot,” the AA said.
The association said pedestrians and drivers remained distracted, which was a problem in South Africa as many people were using their mobile devices while they should be concentrating on the task at hand.
The AA warned that up to 35% of all deaths on our roads are pedestrians.
“This is extremely worrying, and people who aren’t paying attention while walking and playing Pokemon Go are at risk of being part of this statistic.”
The AA advises the following to players:
– Don’t play while driving, or while walking near traffic
– Pay attention and be vigilant when you are playing. Distraction can cause injuries (even death), especially if you walk in traffic
– If possible, take someone with you when you are playing as a second pair of eyes to watch out for possible dangers
– Avoid playing Pokemon Go while boarding or alighting buses, trains or taxis; focus on the road and traffic and get to a safe place before playing
“We urge everyone to enjoy this, or any other gaming experience, but not to sacrifice their, or anyone else’s real life to catch a virtual character.”
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