Survey: Gamers More Dangerous Drivers Than Non-Gamers?

Video gamers are more dangerous behind the wheel than non-gamers, according to a study carried out by tire manufacturer Continental Tires. The study, as reported by Jalopnik, asked 2,000 motorists between the ages of 17 and 39 -- half gamers, half non-gamers -- about their regular driving habits. The results found that gamers believe they take higher risks than non-gamers while driving. Yet, of those gamers questioned, many thought that they were still more skilled drivers than non-gamers. It was found that 44 percent of the quizzed gamers thought they took risks while driving, compared to 21% for non-gamers. In comparison, 45 percent of gamers admitted to suffering from road rage, while only 22% of non-gamers did. Perhaps most striking of all, 26 percent of gamers said that they believed their driving scares other people, compared to 11 oercent for non-gamers. Tim Bailey, safety expert at Continental Tires, said of the study: "It seems that while gamers develop useful skills and are more confident, they need to apply some balance with a sensible assessment of risk."