Do racing games negatively affect driving habits?

[Skybird]

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Now I would like to see such a study getting done for tank simulations , and flight simulations!

Do sim-tankers take more risks in real battle? Even if that is the case, you hardly can prove that, for they probably do not live to tell.

[Sledgehammer427]

I do sim racing, and while I can agree with this

“Playing computer driving games means good concentration levels and improved reaction times

I don't like to see that it would negatively impact my driving.
while, yes, I have done a couple track days and racing games taught me a lot, I leave my driving there, every now and then I might heel-toe downshift into a corner to make sure i still remember how to do it, but other than that, I drive safely.

[Growler]

I grew up playing flight sims; never got into the whole driving game scene.

Regardless, I've been told on several occasions that my driving reflexes are phenomenal; if this is indeed so (since I really never thought to do a comparison, nor am I sure of how I'd do such a thing), then I would attribute the development of those reflexes, to some degree, to time spent in a virtual cockpit.

[GoldenRivet]

When i was 23 years old i played Nascar Racing 4 like it was going out of style (i guess because it was going out of style)

At the time, i can say most assuredly that it did in fact negatively affect my driving habits.

Its hard to notice it until you step back and take a look, but you catch yourself trying to get away with 10-15 mph over the speed limit constantly, or on an S-Turn on the highway when other cars are not around i would hug the insides of the turn not reducing my speed.

I think the age and experience level of the person playing the racing game has a lot to do with how easily influenced they are by it.

now with 9 more years under my belt, I'm not so susceptible to such influences.

I think if a person were to study the driving habits of 18-24 year old males... for a 6 month period without any video games - then study their driving habits for a 6 month period while playing at least one or two hours of racing games per day the results might be surprising.

[tater]

GR, as a teenager I drove like that all the time, and we didn't have racing games in the modern sense, only this:

[GoldenRivet]

Originally Posted by tater

GR, as a teenager I drove like that all the time, and we didn't have racing games in the modern sense, only this:

which validates my long time argument that 16 year old kids are too young and immature to drive regardless of the whether or not they play video games that promote bad driving habits.

I have always felt that way

on a side note i think it is TOTAL BS that you can go to some far off hell and die for your country but you cannot legally order a beer.

screw that... i think the drinking age should be lowered to 18 or at least lowered to 18 for individuals with valid military IDs

[MaddogK]

Originally Posted by tater

GR, as a teenager I drove like that all the time, and we didn't have racing games in the modern sense, only this:

SPRINT !!! Loved that friggin game.

To the topic: Is it a bad thing to hone your driving skills via a racing game, then drive better than the average joker on the streets IRL ?? Tho racing sims have made me a bit more aggressive at times some of the skills I've honed in the sims have saved my arse on real world streets.

I do however pay more attention to my aggressiveness during real world driving.

[August]

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

I think if a person were to study the driving habits of 18-24 year old males... for a 6 month period without any video games - then study their driving habits for a 6 month period while playing at least one or two hours of racing games per day the results might be surprising.

I think it would depend on how accurately the driving game compares to real life.