Public transportation workers are generally expected to maintain a certain level of focus, so when the man at the helm of one of Japan’s high-speed shinkansen was spotted putting his feet up on the train’s control panel, it didn’t sit well with a lot of people. And you know what’s also frowned upon? Playing Pokemon GO while driving a bus, like this guy did.
The video, shot in late October, shows a 41-year-old driver for Ryobi Holdings, which operates sightseeing buses in the Osaka area. The vehicle’s large-diameter steering wheel means that he can peer through the spokes and see his smartphone, propped up between the speedometer and tachometer gauges.
But hey, maybe he’s simply got the phone running so that he can take advantage of the game’s buddy system, which rewards you with in-game items for traveling set distances, even without making any game inputs?
Nope, he’s actively playing the game. Granted, the video doesn’t show him trying to catch any Pokemon, but he can be seen tapping and swiping multiple Pokestops to gather Poke Balls and other equipment, all while the bus makes its way down the road at a speed of roughly 60 kilometers per hour.
Now, I suppose one could make the argument that the driver is able to pay proper attention to the road even as he plays the game. The obvious counter-argument, though, is that he apparently was so zoned in to what was happening on his phone’s screen, and thus unaware of his surroundings, that he didn’t realize one of the passengers was filming him doing something that would definitely get him in trouble with his bosses.
The clip eventually found its way to YouTube, at which point Ryobi Holdings became aware of it and launched an internal investigation culminating with the driver admitting to playing the game while on duty, despite company regulations that prohibit employees from using a smartphone while sitting in the driver’s seat. Management is currently discussing how to discipline the driver, and has issued a statement that “There is no excuse for this unbecoming conduct, and we will increase our efforts to prevent situations like this from arising in the future.”
Finally, while the video evidence no doubt made the investigation easier, should you find yourself, as a passenger, in this position, you might also want to consider telling the driver to get his eyes back on the road, right then and there.
Sources: Yahoo! News Japan, Otakomu
Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Pokémon live-action movie is finally happening as Legendary Entertainment secures movie rights -- Kind-hearted yet cautious driver takes photo of fallen motorist before helping her up -- Real life Pokémon gym set to open in Japan next month
© Japan Today
29 Comments
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krustytheclown
This driver should thank his lucky stars he wasn't involved in an accident.
samwatters
Well, this is one company that will see net loss. Fire this idiot immediately.
Chop Chop
Why peoples are doing stupid thing like this? The passengers' lives were in his hand. He should be removed from driver job.
MsDelicious
Force him to enlist in the military.
Disillusioned
So, will this 41 year old otaku also be charged for using his phone while driving?
Kabukilover
A scary story that could have ended in a disaster. There needs to a Pokemon block in vehicles.
buffalo
I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it. Can you win money on this game?
Garthgoyle
Attest him and make a scapegoat out of him.
lucabrasi
@Garth
That's not what "scapegoat" means. (Or "attest").
BertieWooster
Best advice yet!
If only Japanese people would do this.
But they won't, because they don't want to get involved.
Dre Hund
Always a job for retreading bus tires out back.
smithinjapan
What does it matter WHAT he was using the phone for -- he was using a phone while driving, which is a no-no.
Garthgoyle
Ah, whoops!
Arrest him and make a scapegoat out of him.
Robert Dykes
4 day old news... Come on Japantoday. Why do I keep reading Japanese news on western website way before you guys have it up.
Also: Why does NO ONE tell this guy to stop. The guy with the cellphone is more concerned with getting youtube hits with his video than telling this moron to stop looking at this cellphone and DRIVE!
commanteer
Scapegoat? He was risking the lives of his passengers he was paid to protect - to play a pointless game. He should be sacked, as should any other driver behaving this way. There really is no excuse for this.
Monozuki
Distracted driving such as using a cell-phone while driving a car and such are very dangerous. Let alone sightseeing bus with passengers!
DaDude
What is there to discuss? Fire him to save your business and save lives.
Hiro S Nobumasa
Pokemon go kills!
This game should be banned and the company be made criminally liable.
Nobusaki
Now he just needs to catch...
"A new Job"
oldman_13
Like the last paragraph of the article alludes to, how about these viral video taking 'heroes' have some common sense and intervene before something bad happens. I mean, it makes for cool and thought provoking discussion online, but would be far better if someone lectured these badly behaving people before someone gets killed.
bones
I just hope pilots aren't doing things like this!!!
ThePBot
I don't know what's a worse fact to concentrate on here: playing Pokemon Go while driving, or an old man playing Pokemon Go.
since1981
I would have taken the video then show everyone on the bus what the driver was doing.
Gaijindesu
There's two pilots in the cockpit, and once airborne, it doesn't require their constant attention.
Spanki
Maybe he was just trying to make sure he didn't run over any Pokemons..
since1981
Japanese news said that the video was made by a colleague and no passengers on the bus.
sf2k
time to start laying people off for reckless endangerment or be charged with same