Over the weekend, BBC and Gamespot posted articles detailing a recent study on the effect racing games have on those who play them.  According to British driving institution BSM, players between the ages of 16 and 24 are far more likely to steer aggressively after performing similar actions in a video game.  It’s a new and exciting way to place games in a negative light, with most previous attempts surrounding virtual violence.

The details on the study are still a bit sketchy.  BSM simply asked 1,000 subjects if they were more likely to speed and generally push their limits after playing a racing game.  According to this British institution, 27% “admitted more risk-taking on the road after a gaming session.”  It has led BSM’s road safety consultant to proclaim that there is an “indisputable” link between video game play and aggressive maneuvers on the road.

In responding to the study, Gamespot references a number of studies that have shown gaming to increase reaction time and reflexes, traits that could only improve a driver’s competence.  I’m left wondering a few other omitted details, such as whether the same 1,000 16 to 24 year olds were asked about thrilling racing movies, such as The Fast and the Furious, Ronin, or classics like Bullitt.

On a personal note, I’ll admit that playing racing games can sometimes inspire slightly more aggressive driving.  In fact, a few sessions of Rallisport Challenge for the original Xbox led to the somewhat unnecessary passing of a few minivans and compacts.  However, none of this behavior was especially limited to video games, and could just have easily been inspired by an up-tempo song on the radio.

Let’s face it: the 16 to 24 year old age range doesn’t represent the most responsible driving spectrum.  We shouldn’t confuse this youthfulness with a few (unnamed) “racing games”.