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Video Racing Games May Spur Risky Driving

Posted by Hemos on from the get-out-of-my-way dept.

kiwimate writes "A study concludes that people who play car racing games may be more likely to take risks and drive aggressively when driving in real life. According to the article, "The study appeared in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, published by the American Psychological Association"." Just because after I play Grand Theft Auto I want to ram other cars does not mean I'm a worse driver. Honest.

1 of 428 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Arrg! by R3d+M3rcury · · Score: 1, Redundant

    Those who played the racing game showed more agressive behavior (in a formal driving simulator) regardless of their video gaming history. Ah, there's the rub.

    So, first they put the subjects in a video game (the driving simulator) to establish a baseline. Then they put the subjects into another video game where driving fast was the key. Then they stuck them back in the first video game and noticed that they drove the same way.

    Why? Because there were no consequences.

    When I was about 10, my Mom and sisters went away for the weekend and my Dad and I were left to "batch" (ie, "bachelor") it for the weekend. This meant going out for fast food. Right by the fast food place was a go-cart track, so my Dad and I hit the go-carts. My Dad was not an aggressive driver at first, and I built up a pretty good lead. But once he had a feel for the go-cart, he caught up and passed me pretty easily. We had a heck of a good time zooming around the track. Then we got in the car and went home.

    Coming off the freeway (through a green light) my Dad took the turn a little too fast. No harm, but there was definitely the sound of screeching tires and I was pushed against the passenger door (neither of us were wearing seatbelts). We made the turn, but I remember my Dad saying, "Oops. Guess I'm not in the go-cart anymore. Sorry." We went home without any other incidents.

    Driving a simulator generally doesn't give you the centrifugal forces and other sensory effects of actually driving. And if you mess up, you know there's no consequences. So I have no problem believing the outcome of their tests because there was nothing to force the driver back to reality. I'd probably do the same thing.

    I like playing car racing games. But when I get behind the wheel of a real car, I have plenty of reminders that this is not a game. Whenever I consider doing something that might be dangerous, I usually ask myself, "Is it worth dieing for?" What are the consequences in a "driving simulator?" Some tsking from the guy running the test? Bah...

    Add some serious consequences to the driving simulator and I'd be willing to bet you'd see the aggressive driving stats fall off.