Abstract

We assessed whether video game experience exerts substantial influence on standardised measures of driving skill. Three subject groups (n = 90) with different video game experiences (frequent, moderate and without extensive experience) performed standard driving tests on a driving simulator, computerised tests measuring driving skills, and standard attention tests. Even extensive video game expe- rience had no influence on performance in computerised tests measuring driving skills. But there was a strong influence of video game experience on computerised attention tests, with frequent gamers outperforming the control subjects in several attention measures. These findings show that the evaluation of driving skill should rely strongly on driving skills tests which are specifically designed for this particular purpose. The use of standard computerised attention tests for the assessment of driving skills runs the risk of introducing a performance bias during testing attributable to frequent video game use.