So you hold the lap record around Monaco on your computer game, and that means you’re a hotshot driver in the real world, right?
Wrong, according to a recent survey commissioned by Continental Tyre. Researchers found drivers who play driving games such as Need for Speed and Formula 1 are more likely to crash, run a red light and are less successful at carrying out every day manoeuvres. They are more likely to attempt risky manoeuvres, suffer from road rage and be stopped by the police. And they are considered “over-confident” by non-gamers and a potential risk because they might repeat their virtual driving approach in the real world.
Tim Bailey, safety expert for Continental Tyre, said: “This is an interesting piece of research. It seems that while gamers develop useful skills and are more confident, they need to apply some balance with a sensible assessment of risk.
“Playing computer driving games means good concentration levels and improved reaction times; however, they can take more risks than non-gaming drivers, due to the lack of real consequences in games.
“The most important issues for driving safely are concentration, an appreciation of road and vehicle conditions and an awareness of potential risks. Driving games can develop these skills but that has to be balanced - driving on public roads is never a race.”
The study of 2000 drivers consisted of 1000 gamers and non-gamers aged between 17 and 39 and quizzed them on their driving habits.
It found while gamers think they are better behind the wheel, in reality they are far from it. They rated their driving skill at an average of six out of ten compared to non-gamers’ five.
And they also claimed to have quicker reaction times, better anticipation of events and greater understanding of the car’s dynamics - such as gear changes and cornering.
However, when quizzed further, they tend to speed more often, claim on their insurance more regularly and believe that any problem can be solved by resetting their game.
Peter Rodger, Institute of Advanced Motorists chief examiner, said: “I’m not surprised that regular gamers find themselves making the same decisions and judgements when driving for real as they do when in the virtual world. The issue is that when actually driving, our actions lead to ‘real’ results, and mistakes have very real consequences.”
Gamers also appear worse parkers having crashed into more stationary objects and are twice as likely to scare others with their antics on the road. - Drive Times