Need for Speed or Gran Turismo Make Gamers Reckless Drivers

A new study conducted by a company closely linked to the auto industry, Continental Tires, has revealed that those drivers who are also video game players have a higher risk of driving recklessly, with the effects running from a bigger chance of being pulled over by police to an increased chance of not stopping at a red light.

The study was conducted on 200 drivers, but it was not one conducted in thoroughly scientific manner, as all drivers were asked to evaluate their own performances.

The study shows that those gamers who also drive are more confident in their own ability to control the vehicle but also more arrogant, believing themselves superior to their traffic brethren.

31 percent of the gamers involved in the Continental Tires study have said that during the past year they have run a red light, with just 14% of those who do not play racing video games saying they did the same.

30% of gamer drivers have made a claim linked to an accident while 15 percent of non-gamers did the same, and when it comes to taking risk at the wheel, 44 percent of gamers said that they did it, with acceleration and overtaking their preferred risky moves, and less than a half of non-gamers are doing the same.

Aggressive behavior like road rage is also linked to playing racing video games, with 45 percent of players admitting to its existence and just 22% of those who only drive in real life talking about it.

Tim Bailey, who is an expert in security working at Continental Tires, has said, “It seems that while gamers develop useful skills and are more confident, they need to apply some balance with a sensible assessment of risk.”

It's not clear whether these different percentages actually have an impact on the driving performance of those gamers who enjoy a session of something like Need for Speed, Forza or Gran Turismo.