Games 'make drivers go faster'

[Nitrous]

Source: BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6410061.stm

More than a third of young drivers are more likely to go faster on the roads after playing on-screen driving games, a survey suggests.

And 27% of motorists aged under 24 admitted more risk-taking on the road after a gaming session.

A thousand drivers were questioned on behalf of driving school BSM.

BSM's road safety consultant Robin Cummins said the results showed an 'indisputable' link between gaming and dangerous driving.

A quarter of drivers even said they imagine they are in a driving simulation game while driving for real - men are the worst offenders for this.

The poll also found that 34% of the 1,000 young drivers questioned think computer games can improve real-life driving ability, with two in five reckoning the games can help their reflexes.


The guy in front, the music on the stereo...those are the things that make you speed up
David Perry

The survey revealed that just over half of frequent game-players pass their driving test first time, compared with only 45% of those who only play games infrequently.

Mr Cummins said: "With more than 200 young people killed each year due to speeding alone, it's crucial that they learn to 'keep it real' on the road."

But the survey's findings have been rejected by the US-based games designer David Perry.

The multi-millionaire from Belfast, who is currently designing a driving video game, said behaviour was affected by how drivers felt while behind the wheel, not before they got in their car.

"Anything that affects your emotions will affect how you drive. The guy in front, the music on the stereo...those are the things that make you speed up, not a game you played an hour ago."

[Loop]

Umm... I agree. Or not.
I mean, I've seen this before but what side of the fence are you advocating?

[Nitrous]

I think its just plain stupid tbh, its like they have nothing else better to do other than this sort of pointless research...

[Blondi]

Yes and spent lots of tax dollars to do it.....IMHO I don't think driving playing or real driving have anything in common.................

[Eldandoerino]

Man that's so right just last night i was playing crackdown and i drove a car up a ramp and did a 360 turn in the air then just this morning i tried the same thing on my way to work.

[30111987]

"The survey revealed that just over half of frequent game-players pass their driving test first time, compared with only 45% of those who only play games infrequently."

That kinda counters the argument!
So gamers drive faster but they also drive better...

[Chappers]

I cannot say i have ever driven any different after playing a game to what i drive normally.

I agree with music completely, if I listen to one of my favourite songs i believe i may drive faster than normal but i like to think I'm in control.

[Scarface]

I am 34% more likely to hide under a box after playing Metal Gear Solid

[Eldandoerino]

Originally Posted by Scarface

I am 34% more likely to hide under a box after playing Metal Gear Solid

[Alexandros]

I only go fast when keeping pace with traffic.

[Laughing Man]

Yeah the other day I was playing GTA SA, afterwards I went out walked up tp a guy stopped at some lights, punched him in the face, stole his car, got myself a hooker and then when we had finished I shot her as she walked away and took back the money that was very convenantly hovering just a foot off the ground.

[Phatbowser]

That survey is crap. For men, driving is a competition. Who is better? Who has the fastest car?
They seem to be avoiding the fact that most all teenage driver collisions occur when the kid at the steering wheel is drunk.

[30111987]

Originally Posted by Phatbowser

They seem to be avoiding the fact that most all teenage driver collisions occur when the kid at the steering wheel is drunk.

Perhaps in the US but here in the UK drink driving is rare and it's usually committed by older people.

[Phatbowser]

I don't keep up with that information. So, forget what I said.

[Loop]

I always do.