This Just In: A Danger to ourselves and Others, Except Cowgirl

From Ars Technica article posted today:



Though the correlation between how gamers act in games and how they act in real life has been proven tenuous time and time again by the scientific community, there are still those who would argue that video games are warping our fragile youth. And it's not just violent video games causing violent crimes: Australian police and experts are warning the public the teenagers who play racing games "lack responsibility" on the road, too.
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Claiming that racing games make teenage drivers feel "invincible," New South Wales Police Superintendent Dave Evans spoke out against young Australian drivers playing such games as a result of recent developments in the region which could see the driver age limit raised to 18 from 16. This follows a recent climb in lost licenses amongst the teenage age group, as thousands of young Aussie drivers have faced drunk driving and speeding charges. Rates of revoked licenses in the region have reportedly reached 104 licenses lost per day.

"Video games can have a negative impact on young drivers because it increases their complacency and their indulgence in risk-taking behaviour," Evans told The Daily Telegraph. "In games you race, you crash and it is a matter of pressing the buttons and off you go again. In real life it doesn't work that way, you can be killed."

This follows a study earlier this year by Peter Fischer and colleagues at Ludwig-Maximilians University and the Allianz Center for Technology in Germany, which identified that male gamers playing games like Burnout and Need for Speed were more likely to take risks in traffic situations following playing racing games than neutral games. Conversely, women were not affected in the same way.

In spite of this alleged correlation between video games and irresponsible driving, North American car insurance giant Allstate recently began using games as a way of testing mature drivers. The "InSight" initiative is designed to test eye-sight, reaction time, and other important physical facilities with the intention of making the roads safer.

"As Allstate seeks ways to reinvent protection for the consumer, we are taking intelligent risks that are focused on finding new ways to bring value to our customers," an Allstate spokesperson said of the digital driving aptitude tests. "This innovative approach to improving driver awareness and reaction time has the potential to significantly reduce accidents. That would make the roads safer—and potentially save lives."

Repost: about 10 mins after shredding on NFS #1

Luckily I was in the same spot when I was still riding bicycle only. I never understood why the others just don't go out of the way.

I actually find that my real life driving "skills" have improved after so many hours behind the Momo. I brake earlier, look at the path/corner properly, go on the throttle more gently.

its pretty much like blaming marilyn manson for columbine

@D: nice shots ... i know how that feels

Toad wrote:Burnout and Need for Speed

What, do they hate EA? I can believe people would do that though, we lack self control.

haha, i laughed. nice one toady