Pokemon Go has clocked in another controversial incident, this time in Baltimore. Police officers are warning players of the highly popular augmented reality game to be more mindful of their surroundings after a player had a really close call with a patrol car, CBS reports.
A driver told authorities that he was distracted by Pokemon Go when his Toyota RAV4 swerved into a patrol car parked in the 2900 block of Eastern Avenue at around 3:30 a.m. Monday, almost hitting two officers standing on the sidewalk.
The policemen had just finished wrapping up a call when the car careened through and slammed into one of the patrol cars. The driver could be heard swearing that this is what he gets for playing the game, when the officer ran up to the scene of the collision.
Baltimore Police spokesperson TJ Smith said,
It’s a game, but it’s not a game when you’re behind the wheel. This could have easily, easily been a tragedy.
The game, which uses a smartphone’s GPS and camera features, has made headlines not only for its sudden rise to fame, but also for the casualties related to its operation. In San Diego, two people walked off a cliff, oblivious to their environment as they had their heads glued to their phone screens. In Pittsburgh, a girl was hit by a car while crossing the street and playing. In Florida, a man opened fire at two players crossing his yard – fortunately, neither was hurt.
This incident in Baltimore is the latest in the negative publicity Pokemon Go has drawn. No one was injured in the crash, but the driver will be charged.
Local players have been given a jolt, with one Baltimore player saying that it was “dumb” to be both playing the game and driving, and that the accident was “worse because it’s more involved.”
Smith likewise warned players not to let themselves fall victim to crime, after thefts linked to Pokemon Go happened in College Park and Baltimore County.
