by Joe Jeffrey
From Pokémon GO to Pokémon NO as IAM RoadSmart highlights dangers of Augmented reality game
With millions of people across the country currently gripped on latest smartphone craze, Pokémon GO, UK road safety charity IAM RoadSmart is urging motorists not to go on the hunt for virtual monsters from behind the wheel of their cars.
The game, which allows users to seek out Pokémon characters in real life settings via the augmented reality function on smartphones, has been the subject of criticism following its launch in the UK last month owing to a number of people taking to their vehicles to collect the pixelated creatures instead of doing it on foot, posing a threat to other road users and pedestrians as a result.
Samson Ruwangu, IAM RoadSmart digital content executive, 23, said: “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.
“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).
Samson added: “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.”
What is Pokémon GO?
Pokémon Go is a free-to-play, location-based augmented reality game released across the world in July 2016, in which players use a mobile device’s GPS capability to locate, capture, battle, and train virtual creatures, called Pokémon, who appear on the screen as if they were in the same real-world location as the player. Pokémon Go quickly became an overnight global phenomenon and one of the most used mobile apps, reportedly having been downloaded by more than 75 million people worldwide. It was credited with popularising location-based and augmented reality gaming, as well as for promoting physical activity.
