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NYTs Multi-tasking Game
Posted by Hsing Wei on 07-28-09The New York Times has designed an interactive game ““Gauging Your Distraction” that lets their readers simulate the topic of several recent in-depth articles, the dangers of driving while distracted. Studies say that drivers using phones are four times as likely to cause a crash as other drivers. In general, when people multi-task while driving, they are putting themselves and others on the road at risk. Exacerbating the problem is the disconnect in perceptions; driver often overestimate their own ability to safely multi-task.
Developed in consultation with two experts, David Strayer, a University of Utah psychology professor, and David E. Meyer, a University of Michigan psychology professor and multitasking expert, the game puts players behind a wheel and challenges them to make it through rapidly approaching gates while texting on a cellphone. “We weren’t trying to be an exact simulation of driving down the highway or the road — it’s not realistic to have all those gates and people often text in shortened words,” says Times web producer Danielle Belopotosky. “It is a game to give you a sense of how a distraction can decrease your ability to react quickly.” My own performance proved the point. I was 0.13 seconds slower and missed gates 19% more often while texting. Test your own skills and their point with the game here.
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