Cheaper Car Insurance For Gamers

I know your first reaction is that this story is gonna be an ad, but SpuriousLogic's story is actually about insurers considering giving a discount to elderly gamers. The question is: does gaming improve mental agility and make you a safer driver? And if so, I'll have to add gaming to mowing the lawn for my weekly chores.

Dude no joke....

[Drakin020]

My brother was in an accident maybe 5 years ago or so. He was in his jeep on a 2 way road. A car was coming towards him and the driver was drunk. Right at the last moment the car swerved into my brothers lane. My brother was able to react and turn hard enough to allow the car to hit the back side of his jeep instead of the drivers side.

He said his reaction time from playing video games was what helped him, and he really does believe that. I don't blame him nor do I doubt him. I always thought I had a higher reaction time as a result of video games, and I'm sure a study on this has been done to prove it.

Summary not wrong, but somewhat misleading

[Zontar_Thing_From_Ve]

I know it goes against the norm, but I actually read the article. It clearly states that the drivers in this program must play a very specific game designed to improve visual alertness. So if you thought that Allstate (the "insurers" in this article) was going to give discounts to WOW players, think again.

Re:Dude no joke....

[PlatyPaul]

I always thought I had a higher reaction time as a result of video games [...]

So what you're saying is: you suck at gaming?

Re:not really

[BlackSnake112]

Considering the article talks about a game where fish hide stuff and you have to find the matching items, they are talking about memory and not reaction times.

So if get your older friends one of those mind/memory games for their next birthday.

Re:GTA?

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm not sure I'd be giving insurance breaks to someone who excels in a game about carjacking and that gives bonus points for spectacular wrecks.

=)

Seriously? Bonus points? In GTA? Are you with the media?

Maybe you were thinking of Burnout?

Re:Spelling Nazi Attack!

[Kentaree]

No, pretty sure he meant ad as in advertisement...

Re:practice

[Spatial]

I'm 25, and that's old in the gaming world

I recently read that the average age of a gamer is 35 years old [theesa.com]. You've got a ways to go yet!

Re:It make sense to me

[Net_fiend]

I would not take one instance and make that the case for an entire set of people. However, if it were several cases of several different people of the same age group, then I might consider it.

In my opinion my hand/eye coordination along with depth perception is higher than the average Joe due to gaming from an early age. It is my understanding this is why most older people fail at driving later on. The other reason would be reflexes.

I know most people who would be opposed to this will end up being folks in their 30s/40s/50s as that age group seems to think they're god at driving or some nonsense. I'm not wonderful, but I can at least admit it (I'm 25). However, everyday I see idiots on the drive to work. I won't explain the details, but needless to say if most used common sense half the back up wouldn't happen in the first place.

Just remember the left lane is for passing (eg speeding) not going poky or the speed limit or even using your determined "safe" fast speed on your cruise control. That is why there is a middle and right lane, use'em. Hell, I even get out of the way if I'm in the left lane and not going fast enough for those behind me. Its a given and a courtesy to others on the road.