On the surface of things, you could say XBox video games teach us nothing about driving, other than how to do it badly. Few of us are our best driving selves when haring around a race track in the latest Formula 1. And, don’t even get us started on the horrors that are the roads in GTA.Despite that, your XBox could teach more about driving than you realise. If we’re sensible, we can pick out the good from the bad, and use those lessons in our driving lives. So, sit up and pay attention next time you hit the road in the virtual world. The following lessons might just be waiting for you.The rules of the road are there for a reasonRules don’t matter much in racing games, where the track take on a life of its own. But, in games like GTA, the roads are simulations of real ones. Yet, no player in their right mind sticks to the rules or even considers stopping at the traffic lights. As a result, our driving is usually pretty catastrophic. Most journeys are littered with pedestrian deaths and criminal damage. Even if someone hits you, you’re more likely to get into a gun fight than call the best attorney for auto injuries to fight your corner. Such is the gaming life. When you think things through, though, the number of deaths you’ve caused should show how important it is to play by the rules. Even when someone crashed into you, it caused bloodshed! Instead let this be a lesson to always go down official routes if someone else wrongs you. Only then can you keep yourself and those around you safe. Modifications are worth your timeThe best part about any racing game is the chance to modify your vehicle. Most of us spend hours getting this right. Games likethe XBox exclusive, Forza Horizon 3 come complete with the ability to engine swap, add body kits, and use personalised number plates. Bear in mind that the game already lets you ride the Porsche 918 Spyder, which has a 4.6-litre V8 and has an ‘unrivalled’ in-gear performance according to Autotrader. All without modifications. But, when you personalise your ride on top of that, you can create the best car in the game. With that in mind, think about what you could achieve if you modified your real-life vehicle. If you’ve ever held back on this, it’s past time you pushed the boat out on the car mods of your dreams.<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/6297qWpy1a8″ frameborder=”0″ allow=”autoplay; encrypted-media” allowfullscreen></iframe>Spatial awarenessThis might be the last thing you expected to see on this list, but here we are. You might not think time spent haring around on GTA would do anything for your spatial awareness. But, over time, this can work real wonders for your ability to dodge and swerve. Of course, that’s not to say you should drive like that. But, you’d be surprised at how much better your driving will be thanks to your ability to judge vehicles around you.
