VR car crash simulation launched as ‘Safe Drive Stay Alive’ roadshow returns to Wiltshire schools
A new immersive virtual reality experience aims to showcase the consequences of careless driving
Last updated 18th Nov 2022
A new road safety initiative has been launched using virtual reality to help young drivers in Wiltshire understand the consequences of their behaviour when driving.
‘SDSA 360 VR’ provides a follow-up to the 'Safe Drive Stay Alive' education programme aimed at Years 11 to 13 students. It's been launched during this year's Road Safety Week, which takes place 14-20 November.
The 360° virtual simulation includes a seven-minute film, taking the person on a journey as the front seat passenger inside a car. To their right, there's a young driver, and in the back seat two more young passengers.
Through the headset, it's possible to see and hear everything that happens when the driver is speeding while being distracted by his phone and by the back seat passengers.
The VR experience ultimately leads on to the vehicle crashing with a truck crossing the road, and the screen goes black, simulating a loss of consciousness.
When you "come to", a blurry screen starts to unveil the scenario surrounding you as emergency response teams work to rescue everyone out of the vehicle, but for one of the passengers it's sadly too late.
The scheme is being led by the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, on behalf of the Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership and Dorset Road Safe, and it is sponsored by sustainable mobility specialist, Arval UK.
DWFRS Road Safety & Partnerships Manager Christine Sharma said:
“Every year, students from Years 11 to 13 are invited to view the emotive Safe Drive Stay Alive presentation. This new initiative is available for teachers to deliver to students they feel may benefit from a more immersive, practical session."
"The aim is to help students recognise how peer relationships can impact driving behaviours – both positively and negatively – and how they can address concerns about someone’s driving when they are a passenger."
The simulation of the crash, which lasts about seven minutes, is then followed by another film, where better choices are made by the driver and the passengers in the car.
The technology was showcased to members of the Swindon Wildcats team, who took part in the launch.
Colby Tower who plays forward for the Wildcats, told Greatest Hits Radio what he thought of the experience:
"The screen goes black and when you wake up it's pretty gory. Someone passed through the windshield and the panic is on and there's ambulances and sirens everywhere, and it's like... wow, this is real, this can happen.
"It's definitely a step ahead with the virtual reality."
Why does the scheme target young drivers?
National statistics show that young drivers are involved in a significantly higher number of accidents than the rest of the population.
Just one in eight car licence holders in Britain is under 25
Yet one in three of those who die on our roads is under 25
Road crashes are the biggest killer of those aged between 15 and 24
One young person is killed or seriously injured on our roads every hour
DWFRS Road Safety & Partnerships Manager Christine Sharma added:
“The lesson plan has been developed by our road safety team and teachers can book for up to 15 students at a time. Our staff, partners or volunteers will support delivery by operating the technology whilst the teacher delivers the lesson.
"Our only requirements are that the young people taking part have seen the main Safe Drive Stay Alive show, and there is parental/carer consent if they are under 18.”
Ailsa Firth, executive sponsor for community activity and Director of HR at Arval UK said:
“Supporting road safety in our local community is incredibly important and as a parent of teenagers, I know that this immersive experience will help to bring home the need for young people to make sensible decisions on the road."
To book the virtual reality lesson, teachers should contact their local road safety coordinator:
mandy.pantall@dwfire.org.uk for Swindon and Wiltshire, or
hannah.lynch@dwfire.org.uk for Dorset and BCP.