I swore I'd never write a post about the whole Pokemon G phenomenon, but I just can't help myself. You might have read an article recently in The Destin Log about how Pokemon Go is taking over Destin Commons. Players are glued to their smartphones in search of elusive Pokemons, sort of like geocaching, but with a twist.

This is a lot of excitement for a game that started out as an April Fools prank by Google just 2 years ago.

Unlike most computer games, Pokemon Go gets people outside, walking and possibly venturing upon new areas or notable places you've never seen before. A friend said that since he's been playing, he walks 6000 more steps a day then before. But, there is one big issue with this game. Like most popular computer games, it's addicting. So much so that players get so entranced by the hunt for Pokemons that they forget they're not sitting in their living rooms. As a result, you have hoardes of people blindly walking like #pokemonzombies with their faces glued to their smartphones (sort of like texting), with little regard for what is around them.

Since being released, there have been a rash of news stories about accidents as a result of playing the game - good marketing - maybe. Some of the recent accidents reported while playing the game include:

  • Crashing into a parked police car
  • Girl hit by a car crossing a busy highway
  • A woman caught in a tree
  • 2 players fell from an ocean-side bluff in California (after breaking through a fence and ignoring warning signs)
  • Man walked off a New Zealand Bridge

In any event, the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office has deemed it necessary to release these tips for practicing safe Pokemon:

  • Users need to respect places of businesses and private property.
  • Don’t wander around in la-la land. Be aware of where you are and who is around you at all times.
  • Don’t try to catch Pokémon and drive! Distracted driving is a major safety hazard.
  • Distracted walking is also a major hazard. Pay attention to where you are walking and be aware of intersections and busy roads.
  • Don’t play alone. Users should travel in groups and again, practice situational awareness.
  • Report any suspicious behavior to law enforcement.

Be careful out there Pokemon Go players!

Posted by Tim Shepard - Broker on

Tags

Email Send a link to post via Email

Leave A Comment

e.g. yourwebsitename.com
Please note that your email address is kept private upon posting.