A teenage motorist is facing criminal charges after crashing into a school in Melbourne while playing Pokemon Go, China’s Xinhua news agency reported.

Victoria police said the 19-year-old young man was using the popular mobile application last night when he lost control of his car at a roundabout in Berwick in south-eastern Melbourne, crashing through a fence and into a portable building of St Francis Xavier College.

Nobody was injured in the crash which took place outside of school hours and the driver, who is still on his probationary licence, was able to walk away from the crash.

Police say the driver is likely be charged with careless driving, the maximum penalty for which is a US$1,400 fine for first offenders and the potential loss of licence.

“Any Pokeballs, eggs or potions the driver may have had remaining only attracted police,” Victoria Police spokespersonn Julie Anne-Newman told the Guardian today.

The Pokemon Go app, which has been downloaded more than 75 million times worldwide in its first month, requires users to navigate the real world in search of characters from the popular video game series.

The crash comes in the wake of Victoria’s roads and traffic authority, VicRoads, installing 40 signs on popular roads across Melbourne warning of the dangers of playing the game while behind the wheel.

“Taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds more than doubles your crash risk. We just want to keep everyone safe on the road, so we’re asking them not to do that,” VicRoads Road Use Policy Robyn Seymour told Melbourne radio station 3AW.

Victorian drivers caught playing the game while driving without causing an incident will receive a US$350 fine.

- Bernama