PHOTO
21 July 2016
JEDDAH: Get ready to dish out SR300 if you are a Pokemon Go fan and insist on playing it while behind the wheel. It is a violation of traffic rules as it poses a serious danger to the lives of the player and other road users.
Gen. Abdullah Al-Zahrani, director general of the Traffic Directorate, said the game has spread widely in society recently and that some have been found playing the game while driving, using their cell phones to find Pokemon characters. He added that the Traffic Department has already begun issuing tickets and fines to violators.
Separately, the Education Ministry is considering including the game as an educational contest for male and female students during the summer vacation.
Mohammed Al-Harthi, undersecretary for the Curriculum and Educational Programs Department, said in coming days the ministry will announce a contest using a famous game other than Pokemon, but Pokemon will also be considered.
He tweeted that the contest will involve landmarks using the Minecraft game. "With the spread of Pokemon, we considered delaying the launch of the contest to study the possibility of including Pokemon in the contest."
Social media users ridiculed the decision under the hashtag #Pokemon=education. Al-Harthi responded:
"Before launching any competition we must consult relevant specialists. Our kids are playing these games for a long time without a clear goal; we are trying to exploit this to achieve educational goals."
JEDDAH: Get ready to dish out SR300 if you are a Pokemon Go fan and insist on playing it while behind the wheel. It is a violation of traffic rules as it poses a serious danger to the lives of the player and other road users.
Gen. Abdullah Al-Zahrani, director general of the Traffic Directorate, said the game has spread widely in society recently and that some have been found playing the game while driving, using their cell phones to find Pokemon characters. He added that the Traffic Department has already begun issuing tickets and fines to violators.
Separately, the Education Ministry is considering including the game as an educational contest for male and female students during the summer vacation.
Mohammed Al-Harthi, undersecretary for the Curriculum and Educational Programs Department, said in coming days the ministry will announce a contest using a famous game other than Pokemon, but Pokemon will also be considered.
He tweeted that the contest will involve landmarks using the Minecraft game. "With the spread of Pokemon, we considered delaying the launch of the contest to study the possibility of including Pokemon in the contest."
Social media users ridiculed the decision under the hashtag #Pokemon=education. Al-Harthi responded:
"Before launching any competition we must consult relevant specialists. Our kids are playing these games for a long time without a clear goal; we are trying to exploit this to achieve educational goals."
© Arab News 2016
