Driving is not a game: Video game experience is associated with risk-taking behaviours in the driving simulator

The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the impact of self-reported video games experience on performance in the driving simulator. Two simulator experiments were executed using convenience samples of young drivers who completed a simulated drive and a questionnaire that quantified their experience playing video games. In the first experiment, participants completed a comprehensive simulated driving assessment where composite indicators of overall driving performance were collected. In the second experiment, participants completed a simulated driving scenario specifically designed to assess drivers' handling abilities. The results showed a statistically significant association between video game experience and measures of speed and crash only in the handling scenario that participants completed in the second experiment. The results suggest that video game experience contributes to simulated driving behaviour through its relationship with risk taking behaviours among young drivers.