Driving Sim Teaches Teens Driving Responsibility

[vansau]

Driving Sim Teaches Teens Driving Responsibility

A university research project is helping teens learn about what not to do while they drive. Spoiler alert: texting while driving is a bad idea.

Driving simulators are known for many things. Great graphics, high-speed action, and quality explosions? Sure, if they're done right (as seen here in the screenshot for Split/Second). But they aren't really known for helping teach teens to be better drivers. However, newly-revealed research data has shown that a "state-of-the-art driving simulator" is being used to teach teens with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) how to drive more responsibly.

The research comes from Gregory A. Fabiano, an associate professor of counseling, school, and educational psychology at the University of Buffalo. The project, which was recently funded with a massive grant from the National Institute of Health's National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, is a joint-effort between the UB Graduate School of Education and New York State Center for Engineering Design and Industrial Innovation.

Professor Fabiano explained the purpose of his study:

"We had worked with children with ADHD for a long time at the university ... And as those kids grew up, we heard concerns from parents about the transition to independent driving.

"So we did some research and found out results not surprising to anybody. Teen drivers are the worst on the road. And some recent research has shown that compared to that worst group of drivers, teen drivers with ADHD were significantly more at risk for everything."

According to the research, teens who text and drive are actually more impaired than those who drunk drivers: "When they crashed, the researchers found that teens did not realize how dangerous their multi-tasking behavior was until they were in a virtual crash."

I always enjoy hearing how videogame technology is used for legitimate scientific/research purposes. Exactly how long the study will continue remains to be seen, but with the recent grant, it sounds like it'll be going on for a while.

Source: <a href=http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/214680.php>Medical News Today via <a href=http://www.gamepolitics.com/2011/01/28/research-driving-simulation-helps-teens-adhd-drive-better>GamePolitics


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[Thedayrecker]

Lolz. I have ADHD, and I'm pretty terrible at driving. Too bad they didn't have this for me...

Although, to be fair, I never text while driving, unless it's important (like my brother telling me where to pick him up). Usually, I ignore all incoming texts and calls.

 

[Dr. wonderful]

Good god, what with all the new articles, popping up!? Did you guys hit the jackpot or something?

 

[Zer_]

Lolz. I have ADHD, and I'm pretty terrible at driving. Too bad they didn't have this for me...

Although, to be fair, I never text while driving, unless it's important (like my brother telling me where to pick him up). Usually, I ignore all incoming texts and calls.

Do it at a red light, stop by the side of the road. :/

 

[Thedayrecker]

Lolz. I have ADHD, and I'm pretty terrible at driving. Too bad they didn't have this for me...

Although, to be fair, I never text while driving, unless it's important (like my brother telling me where to pick him up). Usually, I ignore all incoming texts and calls.

Do it at a red light, stop by the side of the road. :/

Well yeah, I check to see who called/texted at lights, but I don't respond, unless it's something/someone important.

 

[Daemascus]

Science proves the obvious. Again.

 

[SinisterGehe]

Science proves the obvious. Again.

It is important to prove that the obvious was a fact, that is what science does. It proves stuff. NO matter how useless the fact it, everything helps to push science further. You never know if this study can be used as part or as a base for some other more "important" study.

 

[MurderousToaster]

More at risk for everything?

Does that mean that people with ADHD are more likely to crash because a puma jumped out of the bushes and tried to eat their car?

 

[Bender Rodriguez]

I was taught driving in LFS, a brilliant racing simulator.
Used a G25, a year later i started training for real.

I mastered the cars mechanics without a hitch.

 

[s0m3th1ng]

Ten bucks says the kids try to crash as much as possible when they first get in it.

 

[garfoldsomeoneelse]

The only racing game I ever had growing up was Gran Turismo. I am now an excellent driver that has never had an accident, despite driving while severely inebriated on more than one occasion. Coincidence? Maybe.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

oh god, if they came to my town, the studies would be completely reversed, old people...you flipping are the worse drivers i have ever seen, you jag back and forth between the lanes like your having a seizure non stop all day, you CONSTANTLY go 15 under the speed limit making it MORE DANGEROUS for everyone who is GOING the speed limit. also with the fact that it takes you the ENTIRE arrow to see that the arrow is green, then you go, makes it even more fucking obvious how bad at driving you are.

/rant


seriously old people, stay inside, you suck so bad at driving.

 

[Devil's Due]

[rant]

I'm glad people are actually learning about this stuff, because I'm tired of idiot drivers killing INNOCENT people because of their dumb asses trying to text some boyfriend or girlfriend about some hot new thing they saw or some shit. I seriously think Driver Courses should be mandatory for any driver, and Driver's Licenses harder to obtain. Right now any idiot with basic controls can get a license with no problem, and I've nearly lost a few friends and even almost lost a lover in the past due to morons who don't understand that speeding / texting / drowsiness / drinking and driving is just stupid as it comes. I refuse to be associated with anyone who does such things, as it's just impossible to look over someones character that would do such a dangerous thing to innocent lives in the mix and not care about the possible outcome that happens daily.

[/rant]

This kind of topic really can push my buttons. Good for the school.

 

[SuccessAndBiscuts]

Its an interesting idea but I kinda doubt it will work, more people play games now than ever. Which means more people make the reality does not equal game distinction (ya know that key defence in "games make people violent maniacs" discussion)

People are likely to see this as a game and not make the mental connection to what happens on the road at all. My personal opinion when it comes to improving the standards of driving is to make everyone (excepting those that can't due to disability) have to spend a good amount of time on motorbikes first before they are let anywhere near a car.

In a car its like being in your house, you feel safe, secure and happy to do things you wouldn't normally do. On a bike everything is a potential death sentence, once you realise that you also apply what you have learned on the bike to how you behave behind the wheel of a car.