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Drivers in Walker end up in accident, ditches while playing Pokemon Go

8 years 4 months 3 weeks ago Tuesday, July 12 2016 Jul 12, 2016 July 12, 2016 10:03 PM July 12, 2016 in News
Source: WBRZ

WALKER - Police are warning people about the dangers of playing Pokémon Go while driving.

Pokémon Go has been downloaded millions of times in the U.S. since it's release Wednesday. It requires people to move, augmenting reality to place creatures and other items in real places.

"If forces you to get up off the couch and either walk or drive to a spot where you can walk," said Walker Police Captain John Sharp.

Walker Police say some people play it when they shouldn't and it's creating problems, especially for people behind the wheel.  

Sharp says people are playing the game while driving. In one case, a sudden stop to catch a Pokémon caused the car behind the drover, to crash. No injuries and minor property damage was reported.

A wrecker company in Walker is busy, responding to three separate incidents Monday of drivers playing the game and running their car into a ditch.

"She was pursuing a Pokémon character and, you know, missed her turn," said Sharp. "You shouldn't be doing this while you're driving."

The Walker Police Department says its concern is for people walking along the sidewalk being safe and others that aren't.

One Pokémon Go player suggested a designated driver.

"If they want to play so bad, maybe they should have someone in the passenger seat that plays it for them," said James Roberts.

A reminder, it's illegal in Louisiana to text, use social media and play games on your phone while driving.

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