Video racers drive badly

According to a bunch of German researchers, people who play car racing video games may be more prone to drive recklessly and get into accidents.

Reuters said that the Allianz Centre for Technology, who conducted the study said that driving actions in video games often include competitive and reckless driving, speeding and crashing into other cars or pedestrians, or performing risky stunts with the vehicle.

A survey of 198 men and women showed that those who played the games most reported engaging in aggressive and risky driving and getting into car crashes.

The researchers tested 68 men and found those who played even one racing game took more risks afterwards.

Of course the risks were on a computer simulator, which might explain why they took more of them, but the researchers said that those who played a racing game also reported more thoughts and feelings associated with risk-taking than the others.

More here. µ