Public Advised Not To Use Smart Phones To Play Pokemon While Driving, Riding Bikes

JOHOR BAHARU (Johor, Malaysia), Aug 11 (Bernama) -- Drivers or motorcyclists have been urged not to use their smartphones to play Pokemon Go games to ensure road safety. Johor Traffic and Public Order Chief Supt Baharuddin Mat Taib said police would not hesitate to impose stern action on drivers or pillion riders who commit the offence as they could cause harm to themselves as well as other road users. "The Pokemon Go application on smartphones is the in-thing now. Motorists and pillion riders who use it can lose control of their vehicles and be involved in an accident," he told reporters here Wednesday. Baharuddin said motorists who use communication devices while driving or riding their vehicles could be charged under Rule 17A of the Road Traffic Rules 1959 (LN 166 59). He said from January until June this year, police had issued 1,875 summonses to individuals for using communication devices while driving or riding their vehicles while 2,459 people were issued summonses during the same period last year. On a separate development, Baharuddin also advised the public not to use strobe lights on their vehicles, a popular practise among road-users today. He said permission must be obtained from the Director-General of the Road Transport Department for the use of strobe lights, and those found guilty of it could face action under Rule 24 and Rule 138 of Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) 1959 (LN 170/59). "Strobe lights are bright lights which can be seen from far and fixed on vehicles to assist in finding direction, especially for vehicle convoys. Police view this offence seriously and will impose enforcement on those who break the regulation," he said. -- BERNAMA