Posted May 05, 2009 at 08:24PM by Mabie A. Listed in: Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Games for Windows Tags: Hollywood, UK, Top Gear, BBC
Ó

Gran Turismo  - Image 1The government of UK has made it known that they're apparently not a fan of racing simulation games such Gran Turismo. According to a government-backed report, these games are responsible for creating "a cachet of excitement and glamour around speeding."

The survey, which had a respondents of 3,000 drivers, yielded the result that 3 out of 4 does speed regularly. Of the 3,000 respondents, 17% of teenagers answered that they never exceeded the limit (which leaves 83% of the young 'uns admitting to speeding), while more than half of the older demographics said yes.

Between genders, meanwhile, 78% women are worried about the consequences of speeding, while 59% of the gents concurred.

It is important to note that it was not only the said games that the study slammed. Included in the perpetrators of the glamorization of speeding are also Hollywood films such as The Fast and the Furious, and even news channel BBC2's Top Gear show.

David Neave of the company who compiled the report, Co-operative Insurance, said,

Games, TV and films have fueled the increase in speeding The Fast and The Furious and Top Gear are devoting to speeding and targeted at a young audience who are more likely to be encouraged to speed.


To this, the BBC replied that the show does not condone exceeding the speed limit. As a show that features testing "supercars", it is of course logical for them to test the automobiles to their limits, all of which are carried out in tightly controlled conditions on a private track.

[Via Daily Mail] Permalink  |   Email this  |   Linking Blogs   |   Digg It!

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19 Comments


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   by Matt-N - 2009-05-05
 » !

These studies make me laugh.

When I speed, it's because I like the feel of it, some numbnut provokes me... or I'm late for work lol. It's got nothing to do with games, TV or cinema whatsoever!

-Sigh-


   Re: TouchDaSkeleton - 2009-05-05
 » ...

i know ***** those fat *****ers and those old *****s im not authorised but my ***** is
   by rollypoly - 2009-05-05
 »  "a cachet of excitement and glamour around speeding."

that's called adrenalin... you may of heard of it before from credible well established scientific research...

   by Anhmeister - 2009-05-05
 » Gran Turismo?

Apparently they must have been playing the game wrong.


   Re: rollypoly - 2009-05-05
 » why?

gran turismo got me interested in the mechanics side of cars...

the game is all about making cars go faster (or making them handle better while going faster).

   Re: Anhmeister - 2009-05-05
 » The way I see it is that

Yes, Gran Turismo is about making cars go faster. However, this article is talking about speeding. The game promotes speed, but controlled speed. Speeding is essentially uncontrolled speed. That is why I think they played the game wrong.
   by TPot - 2009-05-05
 » 3 out of 4 does speed regularly

The other quarter only do marijuana.

   by sentence - 2009-05-05
 » o.o

Top Gear rules ^^ (cant wait for the new season)

   by NarooN - 2009-05-05
 » Failure.

Gran Turismo, in no shape or form, ever promoted speeding. If you "speed' in the sense that you're mindlessly driving as fast as possible, you will never win a race, as that series is realistic.

Yes, the game is about winning races and events and earning better cars and car parts, which typically results in better handling as well as acceleration and top speed, but that doesn't mean you will win by just holding down the gas button like Burnout.

   by ptspyder - 2009-05-05
 » READ HERE

Follow this link to see one perspective of the unintended consequences of racing games...

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_171/5352-Late-Braking-Fast-Laps-and-Other-Life-Lessons


   Re: Anhmeister - 2009-05-05
 » That

was an interesting read. Thanks for posting.

   Re: ptspyder - 2009-05-06
 » Thanks for reading

I know that it is pretty long, but it is something that I personally agree with. I feel racing games have made me a better, safer driver, at any speed, in any weather condition.
   by Musev - 2009-05-06
 » ....

the daily mail lmao!

so what was the cause before these games? which for the most part would have been in un-safer cars than todays.

that paper is also one of the main parts in spreading the "weed makes people mad" lies, only idiots believe anything from that waste of trees.

anyway
first off its the same type of people speeding that would whatever they watch or play, thats an excuse.
second speeding is only dangerous when the person cant control the car or some other idiot doesnt watch what they're doing. like a child walking out in the road who should be watching where they are going but doesnt because the *****s parents think it doesnt matter or some old person who shouldnt be driving going out of their way to get in other peoples way..

ffs they never to fix the problem at the cause its always just blame something else.

   by Miclowgunman - 2009-05-06
 » Top Gear rocks!

I'm from the US, and anyone who has not seen Top Gear needs to watch it! Yes it does talk about super cars and their performance...but they usually have some crazy challenge, like riding $400 cars across the south and racing a sled of dogs to the north pole in an SUV. Plus the whole bit of driving the minicar into the office! This show is hilarious!

   by Miclowgunman - 2009-05-06
 » Top Gear rocks!

I'm from the US, and anyone who has not seen Top Gear needs to watch it! Yes it does talk about super cars and their performance...but they usually have some crazy challenge, like riding $400 cars across the south and racing a sled of dogs to the north pole in an SUV. Plus the whole bit of driving the minicar into the office! This show is hilarious!

   by Miclowgunman - 2009-05-06
 » Top Gear rocks!

I'm from the US, and anyone who has not seen Top Gear needs to watch it! Yes it does talk about super cars and their performance...but they usually have some crazy challenge, like riding $400 cars across the south and racing a sled of dogs to the north pole in an SUV. Plus the whole bit of driving the minicar into the office! This show is hilarious!


   Re: Miclowgunman - 2009-05-06
 » wow...the tripple post was uncalled for...

sorry guys, didn't mean to spam it.
   by Digitus - 2009-05-06
 » Which came first?

Speeding or racing games? The answer is obvious. If anything all games and movies did was wake up the interest that people would have found for themselves later on down the line...if that. Its in human nature to want to go fast. Sky diving, roller coasters, fast driving, fancy hat parties. All are results of the human desire to feel the g-forces at work can't really shovel that blame off on media as if speeding would not exist if otherwise.

Also I don't know about the UK but in the US speed limits on highways/freeways are more or less non existent. The intention of the speed limit was to produce a safe environment for drivers. Meaning if everyone is going 30 and you're going 60 you're a danger to yourself and others and the converse is true also. However, if you're on the free way and the speed limit says 55mph and you're going 70+ and everyone around you is passing you by or around the same speed you wont be pulled over. Drivers determine the speed limit, not signs (anymore anyway), there was a study on that a while back (one that was actually useful). You're probably more likely to get pulled over for driving under the speed limit than over, unless you're going stupid fast like 90 - 100+ mph.

   by Digitus - 2009-05-06
 » Which came first?

Speeding or racing games? The answer is obvious. If anything all games and movies did was wake up the interest that people would have found for themselves later on down the line...if that. Its in human nature to want to go fast. Sky diving, roller coasters, fast driving, fancy hat parties. All are results of the human desire to feel the g-forces at work can't really shovel that blame off on media as if speeding would not exist if otherwise.

Also I don't know about the UK but in the US speed limits on highways/freeways are more or less non existent. The intention of the speed limit was to produce a safe environment for drivers. Meaning if everyone is going 30 and you're going 60 you're a danger to yourself and others and the converse is true also. However, if you're on the free way and the speed limit says 55mph and you're going 70+ and everyone around you is passing you by or around the same speed you wont be pulled over. Drivers determine the speed limit, not signs (anymore anyway), there was a study on that a while back (one that was actually useful). You're probably more likely to get pulled over for driving under the speed limit than over, unless you're going stupid fast like 90 - 100+ mph.



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