Authorities in the southern province of Dong Nai have asked relevant offices and departments to strictly penalise road users playing Pokémon Go on streets.

Young road users park on the pavement in HCM City to search Pokémon Go.

The decision was signed on Thursday by Chairman of Dong Nai People’s Committee, Tran Van Vinh, due to the increasing number of road users playing the game in the province. 

Local offices were directed to raise awareness among the community, especially road users, about the danger to health and property posed by playing the game on roads. 

State officers, staff, students and the armed forces were also urged to help people not be distracted by the game so that it affects their work or study.

The People’s Committee asked provincial police and transport department to launch a crack-down against road users playing Pokémon Go.

During the campaign, police will focus on fining road users who use smartphones while driving, those who park on streets or the roadside searching for Pokemon, crowds in public places that threaten traffic safety and pedestrians not on sidewalks.

Pokémon Go, a mobile game offering an augmented-reality experience, was officially launched in Vietnam on August 6.