Pokèmon was without a doubt one of the highlights of my childhood and 11 years after it's creation it continues to sweep the world by storm. That's right, I'm talking about the new app called Pokèmon Go that has threatened to break the internet - take that Kim Kardashian.
The app enables users to create a character before scouring the real world for Pokèmon characters to catch. The game has become very addictive very quickly and a result motorists have been playing the hit game whilst driving. In fact on my way home tonight I was behind a Mk1 Mazda MX-5 that had an iPhone mounted to the windscreen and even from my driver's seat I could make out the Pokèmon Go interface.
Gotta catch 'em all: Drivers urged not to hunt Pokemon whilst behind the wheel. (That guy in the picture is not me by the way in case you thought it may be, I'm a sensible drive - mostly.)
As a result this has called for UK road safety charity IAM Roadsmart to encourage drivers to resist the urge to hunt down Pikachu on the M25 - or any other road for that matter. Surely Pokèmon Go is pretty useless on the M25 anyway as to make the experience truly effective you need to be actually moving...
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. Pokèmon GO makes you concentrate on catching characters and it takes both hand and eye coordination.”
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.”