How Are Video Games Connected To Traffic Collisions?

Some games reward dangerous habits, such as ignoring traffic rules, speeding, and even running over people. These video games can influence how players perceive driving and may embolden them to adopt unsafe habits in real life. Applying these risky behaviors to real-world driving can increase the risk of traffic collisions.

Gaming can influence drivers, pedestrians, and even cyclists by:

While studies show that playing video games can improve reflexes, they often cannot teach safe decision-making. Driving in video games and real life isn’t the same. On the road, mistakes can cause injuries and liabilities, not just lost points.

Legal support is available if a distracted or reckless driver causes injury to you or a loved one. Call our traffic accident lawyers at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.

The Connection Of Video Games To Real-World Driving

Both adolescents and adults can enjoy playing video games during their leisure time. The problem is that some of these games normalize dangerous driving habits.

According to a study from the American Psychological Association’s Psychology of Popular Media Culture, adolescents who regularly play mature-rated, risk-centered video games are more likely to engage in dangerous driving behaviors. These behaviors include speeding, unsafe lane changes, and drunk driving. These tendencies can lead to higher rates of traffic stops and car accidents among this age group.

A long-term study of more than 5,000 U.S. teenagers found that those who played games that glorify risks and have mature ratings, such as Grand Theft Auto III, Manhunt, and Spider-Man 2, were significantly more likely to develop reckless driving habits as they grew older.

Researchers tracked the same teenagers over a four-year period. These are some of the observations:

The study also found that gaming influenced more than driving skills. It shaped personality traits. Teens who spent time with risk-focused games scored higher on “sensation seeking” and “rebelliousness.” Police stops, reckless driving, and even the willingness to drink and drive are associated with these traits.

What makes this research more concerning is that exposure to risky games occurred before the teens were old enough to drive. This means the behaviors they practiced virtually became part of their mindset once they reached the road.

The Influence Of Racing Games On Driving Behavior

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), playing certain video games may lead teens to drive recklessly:

• In Grand Theft Auto III, players commit crimes, break traffic laws, and escape from police.
• In Manhunt, players participate in high-speed chases, sometimes while impaired.

Even child-friendly games like Mario Kart normalize aggressive driving tactics, rewarding players for using weapons to block or disable opponents.

Although in-game scenarios are fictional, they can normalize unsafe habits. Seeing realistic graphics and lifelike driving routes, players may blur the line between games and the real world.

California drivers who mimic these risky behaviors from games can cause devastating crashes. Victims in these accidents can consult our attorneys for legal assistance.

Understanding How Gaming Habits Impact Behavior On The Road

Video games can shape how people think, react, and behave in traffic. They don’t directly cause accidents. However, they can idealize risky habits or distractions that increase the likelihood of collisions.

Risky Behaviors Learned From Games

Games that reward speeding or disregarding road rules can normalize unsafe driving practices. Players may begin to view reckless driving as acceptable, especially teenagers who are still inexperienced behind the wheel.

Self-Perception As A Reckless Driver

Some games allow players to take on the role of daring drivers or criminals who get rewarded for traffic violations. Over time, players may start to identify with these characters and see themselves as risk-takers behind the wheel.

This self-identification can lead to dangerous driving habits, such as tailgating, swerving, failure to yield, or running red lights, which are common causes of intersection accidents.

Normalizing Crashes And Collisions

In many games, accidents result in points or extra rewards instead of harm. This lack of real consequences can make collisions feel less serious. This desensitization can make players less cautious on the road, increasing the likelihood of accidents that can cause bodily injuries, such as:

• Brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Back injuries
• Neck injuries
• Amputations
• Burn injuries

Distraction For Drivers

Playing games on the phone or on the car’s entertainment system can divert a driver’s eyes and focus away from the road. Even a few seconds of distraction is enough to cause a serious crash. Loss of focus can lead to distracted driving collisions, hit-and-run accidents, and sideswipe crashes.

Impact On Pedestrians And Cyclists

Aside from drivers, pedestrians and cyclists can also be affected. Mobile games like Pokémon Go may distract users from traffic signals and their surroundings, leading to accidents. Cyclists who play or use apps while riding can also put themselves and others at risk. Common cases include pedestrian accidents in crosswalks and bicycle accidents in busy intersections.

Aggression And Road Behavior

Competitive and violent games tend to showcase aggressive behavior. This mindset can be carried over into real traffic, increasing the chances of road rage and risky driving behavior.

Aggression on the road may lead to road rage-related car accidents. Head-on collisions and SUV rollover accidents can occur when drivers take unsafe risks, often due to impaired judgment or reckless behavior. In the worst cases, these incidents contribute to fatal car accidents and wrongful deaths.

Real-World Examples Of Gaming And Traffic Collisions

Video games themselves aren’t the sole cause of crashes. However, when risky behaviors or distractions from gaming extend to real-life driving, the results can be tragic. These real cases highlight how quickly play can turn into danger on the road:

• Trevor H. (2018, San Diego) — An 18-year-old gaming influencer drove his McLaren the wrong way on I-805, causing a fiery nine-vehicle crash that killed him and two others. He built his online persona around combat and gaming culture. (Source: Times of San Diego)
• Walter H. (2018, Mountain View) — A 38-year-old man died when his Tesla, on Autopilot, struck a barrier. Investigators found he was likely playing a cellphone game at the time, showing the fatal risks of distraction. (Source: abc NEWS)

The company maintains that Autopilot in Tesla vehicles is safe when used properly, requiring drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. In Huang’s case, Tesla stated that his hands were not detected on the wheel for six seconds before the crash. Investigators also concluded he was playing a cellphone game. Huang’s family, however, argued Tesla bore responsibility for overstating the technology’s capabilities and marketing it as “self-driving” despite known safety flaws. (Source: ABC7)

The Effects Of Video Games On Teenage Drivers

Teenage drivers may be more susceptible to the effects of video games. Because adolescents are still developing maturity, they may sometimes find it harder to distinguish safe driving in real life from the risky behaviors they see in games.

Mature-rated games capitalize on this by rewarding aggression and destruction. Teens who grow up on these games may develop poor decision-making skills behind the wheel.

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reinforce these risks:

• In 2021, approximately 2,116 drivers aged 15–20 were killed, and about 203,256 suffered injuries in crashes.
• Approximately 62% of passenger vehicle occupants aged 16–19 who died in accidents were drivers.
• About 57% of teen passengers who died in crashes were in the same vehicle driven by another teen.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Fatality Facts 2023 also revealed that the fatal crash rate per mile driven for drivers aged 16 to 19 is almost three times higher than that for drivers aged 20 and over.

While these numbers highlight real dangers, they don’t mean that every teenager who plays video games will drive recklessly. Instead, they suggest that gaming can exacerbate the existing risks that young drivers already face. Understanding this connection can help parents, educators, and policymakers encourage safer habits in both on-road and online settings.

What Can Parents Do To Encourage Safe Driving For Their Teens?

Video games that glorify reckless driving can influence how teens view themselves behind the wheel. While not every gamer will adopt unsafe habits, teens are already among the most at-risk drivers. According to NHTSA, car crashes remain a leading cause of death for teenagers. For this reason, parental guidance is critical so teens can have a clear understanding of how risky activities can lead to serious injuries.

Here are some steps parents can take to encourage safe driving:

• Create a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement — Helping kids make the right turn means setting clear rules about distractions, curfews, and safe driving practices. Agreements reinforce accountability and highlight the difference between real driving and what games portray.

• Spend Time Practicing Together — Use practice sessions to address distractions, such as phones or music. Then, explain why road rules can’t be treated like game obstacles. This way, your teen learns that, unlike in video games, mistakes on the road have real consequences.

• Set Clear Limits — Restrict activities most tied to crashes, such as night driving, carrying too many passengers, or using devices behind the wheel.

• Talk About Real Risks — Emphasize how dangerous driving in video games differs from real traffic. In a video game, a crash has no real cost, but on the road, mistakes can cause serious harm.

• Model Safe Habits — Teens learn by example. Avoid distracted driving. Always wear your seatbelt and follow traffic laws to reinforce the safe choices that games often ignore.

• Discuss Potential Scenarios — Talk with your teen about how to respond in risky situations. For example, research indicates that major celebrations frequently result in more impaired and distracted drivers on the road. This may result in noticeable spikes in accidents during events such as the Super Bowl. Teach them to stay alert and always opt for safe alternatives, such as a designated driver or rideshare services.

• Teach the Five C’s of Safe Driving — “Courtesy, Calm, Concentrate, Cautious, and Control.” These principles directly counteract the impulsive, reward-driven actions celebrated in many games.

By teaching and reinforcing these values, parents can provide teens with a clear framework that helps them distinguish between safe real-world driving and the reckless habits they may observe in video games.

By setting rules, talking openly, and modeling responsible habits, parents can mitigate the impact of risky video game messages and help their teens make more informed decisions on the road. Our lawyers have created a teen guide for driving that can help encourage safe practices behind the wheel.

Legal Implications Of Video Game-Related Reckless Driving

Video games offer players a fun time. However, applying risky behaviors to real-world driving can lead to severe consequences. Beyond the physical dangers, there are legal issues that affect drivers and their families.

• Distracted Driving Liability — Drivers have a legal duty to give their full attention to the road at all times. Playing a video game on a phone, console, or car system creates a distraction that increases the risk of a crash. If a driver takes their eyes off the road and causes an accident, they may be held legally responsible. Proving liability may involve cell phone records, witness accounts, or accident reconstruction.
• Parental Liability for Teen Drivers — In California, under the doctrine of vicarious liability, parents may be held liable if their teenager causes a crash, even if the teen did not intend to cause harm. Victims can pursue compensation from both the at-fault driver and the parent or guardian with a duty to supervise.

Victims can hold parents responsible if they let their child drive without proper training. This also applies if the parents know the teen is driving recklessly, like playing games while driving. Failing to correct this behavior can make parents directly responsible.

When video game distractions lead to accidents, determining fault can involve the driver’s behavior, technology use, and parental responsibility. Car accident lawyers can explain your options if you were involved in such an accident. They can advocate for your rights and assist you in pursuing compensation under California law.

Steps After A Reckless Driving Accident

Establishing liability in cases involving reckless or distracted driving often requires a thorough investigation. Attorneys may:

• Review police and accident reports.
  • Look for citations issued to the driver (e.g., speeding, running red lights).
  • Examine the officer’s notes regarding distractions, such as the use of a phone or playing a game, to determine if they were a factor in the incident.
• Interview witnesses.
  • Speak with bystanders who saw the driver playing on a phone or infotainment system.
  • Gather statements from passengers about the driver’s behavior before the crash.
• Collect evidence.
  • Get photo and video records from traffic cameras, dashcams, or nearby businesses.
  • Collect cellphone data showing app activity or game use at the time of the crash.
  • Retrieve vehicle data from onboard systems or infotainment logs.
• Work with accident reconstruction experts.
  • Recreate the scene to show how distraction caused delayed reactions.
  • Demonstrate how speeding, swerving, or ignoring signals led to the collision.
• Establish negligence.
  • Negligence refers to a situation where someone fails to act with reasonable care, resulting in harm to another. Show violations such as:
    • Excessive speeding.
    • Tailgating or weaving through traffic.
    • Failure to yield or running red lights.
  • Connect these violations to the distraction caused by video games or other unsafe activities.

On the road, negligence can happen when drivers prioritize games over safety. When this leads to crashes, victims may have the right to seek damages.

Frequently Asked Questions

The relationship between video games and traffic collisions raises many questions. This FAQs section compiles some of the most common queries and our answers to them.

How Are Video Games Connected To Traffic Collisions?

Video games can influence how people think and act on the road. Risky behaviors learned or reinforced in games may carry over into real-life traffic situations.

• For Drivers:
  • Encouraging Risky Behavior — Games that reward speeding, rapidly changing lanes, or breaking rules can make reckless driving seem normal.
  • Shaping Self-Perception — Teens who play racing or crime-based driving games may begin to see themselves as daring drivers.
  • Normalizing Collisions — Many games award points for crashes or damage, teaching players that accidents have no real consequences.
  • Distraction Behind the Wheel — Some drivers play games on their phones or use their car’s screen while driving. Taking their eyes off the road increases the possibility of a crash.
• Other Road Users:
  • Distracted Walking — Pedestrians focused on mobile games may ignore traffic signals, step into the street, or cross at unsafe times.

In short, video games don’t cause accidents by themselves, but they can encourage unsafe habits and distractions that increase the risk of collisions.

Can Playing Car Games Make You A Better Driver In Real Life?

Car games can help improve some basic skills. They may sharpen your reflexes, hand–eye coordination, and perhaps some problem-solving skills. Some games also teach simple rules of the road, like stopping at signals or staying in lanes.

However, games cannot replace the experience of real driving. They do not accurately portray the real dangers of traffic or adverse weather conditions. In a video game, a crash has no real cost, but on the road, mistakes can cause serious harm.

Racing simulators used by professionals can be beneficial for training purposes. Still, new drivers need practice driving real cars. They need to learn how to handle pressure, distractions, and the responsibility of driving safely.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Car Accident Lawyer?

The cost of hiring a car accident lawyer depends on the payment structure and the details of the case. Different factors can influence how much you may pay for legal representation:

• Payment Method — Some attorneys charge by the hour, while others work on a contingency fee basis.
• Case Complexity — Cases involving severe injuries, multiple parties, or disputed liability may require more time and resources.
• Location — Legal fees can vary depending on the city or state where the case is filed.
• Court & Filing Costs — Separate from attorney fees, these include filing paperwork and other legal expenses.
• Expert Witness Opinions — If your case requires the services of medical experts, accident reconstructionists, or economists, the overall cost may increase.
• Settlement vs. Trial — Cases resolved through settlement usually cost less than those that proceed to trial.

Most lawyers who handle car accidents, including ours at AK Law, work on a contingency fee basis. This fee structure means you do not pay upfront legal fees. Instead, the attorney only gets a percentage of the settlement or award you receive. If you do not win, you typically do not owe attorney fees. Certain costs related to the case may still apply; however, our lawyers will explain these during your consultation.

Before moving forward, it is essential to review the fee agreement in detail so you understand exactly what to expect.

What Is California’s Deadline To File A Lawsuit For A Personal Injury Case?

In California, the deadline to file most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. This deadline is called the statute of limitations. If you do not file within this time, the court may dismiss your claim. You may also lose the chance to seek compensation for your injuries and losses.

Some exemptions that may change this two-year limit include:

• Claims involving government entities.
• Injuries that were discovered later, rather than on the date of the accident.
• Cases involving minors who were injured.

While the general rule is two years, exceptions can shorten or extend the filing period. Every case is different. Talk to a personal injury attorney to learn which deadlines may apply to your specific situation.

Discuss Your Traffic Collision Case With A Personal Injury Lawyer

Traffic collisions caused by video games or other distractions can lead to serious problems for victims. They may face high medical bills, time away from work, and long-term injuries. The crash might involve a distracted driver, a pedestrian, or even a commercial truck. Figuring out who is responsible can be a complex process. Evidence such as phone records, in-car data, or witness testimony may be critical in proving fault.

Many victims ask themselves, “I need a personal injury lawyer, where do I start?” Some look for free accident lawyer advice to understand their legal options. Whether you sustain traumatic brain injuries, fractures, or other serious harm from a reckless driving accident, our personal injury law firm offers free case reviews.

Call us at (888) 488-1391 or complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form here to schedule a complimentary initial consultation. Our lawyer for car accident claims can assess your case, explain your options, and guide you as you move forward from your injuries.