Filed under: Internet, Mobile Minute, web 2.0
Mobile Minute: NYT game shows you how stupid it is to text while driving
It's not a game in the "collect 100 coins and get an extra life" sense, but the New York Times' Gauging Your Distraction is out to teach you a lesson about safety.
Once the game starts, you'll be driving down a stretch of the New Jerseyturnpike Parkway (thanks, Will!) - I can't think where else you'd encounter this many tollbooths. Tap the corresponding number when a gate lights up or an overhead sign alerts you which one will open.
At the same time, you'll need to mouse over your Grayberry and respond to incoming text messages from your friends, who want to take you out to dinner and Broadway show (or movie). At the end of the game, you'll be shown a chart that details the effect of texting on your responsiveness.
I may have done slightly better than the average Times reader in my trial, but I completely failed to notice the gray silhouette of a woman at any point during the game. The .2 second texting reduced my reaction time could well have caused me to bounce her off my front bumper.
Trying to grab a screenshot threw my numbers off a bit as well, but I'm not going to argue with the Times on this one. To quote Emmanuel Goldstein, "That's universally stupid, man!"
Once the game starts, you'll be driving down a stretch of the New Jersey
At the same time, you'll need to mouse over your Grayberry and respond to incoming text messages from your friends, who want to take you out to dinner and Broadway show (or movie). At the end of the game, you'll be shown a chart that details the effect of texting on your responsiveness.
I may have done slightly better than the average Times reader in my trial, but I completely failed to notice the gray silhouette of a woman at any point during the game. The .2 second texting reduced my reaction time could well have caused me to bounce her off my front bumper.
Trying to grab a screenshot threw my numbers off a bit as well, but I'm not going to argue with the Times on this one. To quote Emmanuel Goldstein, "That's universally stupid, man!"
So, just how good at time waster games are you? Think you've got the stuff? Well, The World's Hardest Game 2.0 doesn't think you do.
Yes, amazingly, it's possible to have a sequel to a game called "The World's Hardest Game". It doesn't seem logically possible, since if the first one was actually the world's hardest, how could another one come along and share the moniker? It made me doubt the name in the first place. That is, until I tried the game.
The mechanics of the game are very simple. You are a small red square, ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Will B said 2:35PM on 7-20-2009
very fun, great find.
One thing, no big deal, but the turnpike only has tollbooths at exits, you probably meant the Parkway.
XOXO
Will B from NJ
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Arnie said 2:55PM on 7-20-2009
Also, its called the Garden State Parkway (not New Jersey Parkway).
Arnie from FL (formerly of NJ)
Kururugi said 2:46PM on 7-20-2009
I don't agree with texting while driving but I don't see how having a simple conversation on a phone disturbs your driving ability. Somehow the same conversation with a hands-free kit is now safe.
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Riley said 3:26PM on 7-20-2009
got .04! Missed 0. Didn't see the gray lady though
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216 said 3:51PM on 7-20-2009
wow that was tough. People actually text while driving that fast while swerving lanes through tollbooths? damn
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kofo27 said 3:53PM on 7-20-2009
anyone else getting slower reaction times while NOT texting?
.15 seconds slower while not texting
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m hayes said 4:21PM on 7-20-2009
The top line of the QWERTY keyboard in the image is wrong.
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Crt said 11:43AM on 7-27-2009
Excellent. Just got my you-may-text-while-driving permit.
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