Racing games can help student drivers

     Yup, just another absurd idea from yours truly. However, if you really think about it, playing racing games can actually help folks learn how to drive. I'm speaking solely from my experience, but one day I realized that all those hours playing racing games helped me with my driving a lot. I'll list down several things below and see what I'm talking about.

Driving Physics

     Racing games like Gran Turismo on Playstation 1 has taught me realistic physics like stopping and breaking. Before you can join a race, you need to earn your license first. During the license exam, you need to pass several tests. Sounds cliche sure, but applying what you've learn from the exam in real life could be a life saver.

     I'm sure you've seen news in TV where a driver lost control and caused some accident---especially truck drivers. Most of the time, they say that their brake got busted. Witnesses will usually say that the vehicle is cruising really fast before the accident occurred. Now back to Gran Turismo driving exam. You get to drive down the race track with different cars--each has their own different specs--and you're given the goal of stopping at a certain area after a specified time. You drive too fast and apply brakes late will cause you to overshoot the area. Drive safe and slow and you'll miss the specified time. Fail to take the vehicle weight and specs into consideration and you'll fail the exam as well.

     Those are the things that some drivers forget and that's why they get into accidents. For trucks, the heavier the load, the longer it takes for you to stop so driving fast with a heavy load can lead to accidents. The same goes for any other vehicles.

      Then there's cornering. I've seen drivers overtake another vehicle on a curve. That's dangerous since you can't see the incoming traffic. As a general rule, you don't overtake another car/vehicle if you can't see the incoming traffic. Another cornering lesson learned from games is to reduce your speed on corners otherwise you'll overshoot the turn and end up in an accident.

     

I like to live dangerously 

     "But what about the other racing games? Do they also teach you other things outside Gran Turismo?" The answer: YES. They give you experience. To be specific, they teach you what NOT to do in real life. They teach you what to do and what not to do in a wide variety of scenario. Think why other drivers get into accidents. Part of it was not knowing what to do in scenarios where you'll get into an accident.

    Playing racing games allow you to put the pedal into the metal and drive recklessly within the city, get chased by the cops and sometimes, get shot at by the army. You also get to know how to drive while avoiding pedestrians and obstacles too. All of those scenarios saved and wired into your brain will somehow prepare you in real life.

     No, I'm not talking about stealing cars and pissing off the cops. Don't be like Peter, lol. Gran Theft Auto is out there, but seriously, don't go on a shooting spree. Keep the violence inside the game.

Drive safe. Keep your cool

     Losing your temper is common when you share the road with a bunch of stupid motorist everyday. I've had my share of days where I had to deal with my temper and keep it in check so I don't get into an accident.

    I almost forgot about Animes where driving is involved. Yeah, it's fun to see those drifts move, but remember that those are from an Anime and only Pros should do them in real life. Don't even try it. Oh, and Eurobeat is cool and all, plus the temptation to drive fast is strong so keep yourself from driving like Takumi.

(Some vids may not be accessible here so pls watch them on youtube. Tnx!)

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