Virtual Reality (VR) is set to enhance road safety in the Whitsundays through a new police initiative aimed at educating individuals about the dangers of irresponsible driving.
The VR initiative was created by Senior Constables Jaime Brooks and Tamara Cook to better engage senior students in road safety education, after struggling to maintain their interest.
Determined to find a solution, Tamara explored new ways to engage students. Inspired by virtual reality, she spent two and a half years researching how to incorporate it into their teaching.
Sergeant Stephen Smith, presenting the product at PCYC, noted that young drivers' attitudes toward road safety only change dramatically after experiencing road trauma themselves or losing someone to it.
Tamara and Jaime created the initiative to use 360 technologies to simulate a scenario where young people make poor driving decisions in social settings, showing a range of outcomes, including unpleasant and tragic ones.
Sergeant Stephen Smith, states that since using the headsets they have seen a dramatic change in attitudes:
"Everything we've observed so far influences their attitudes, expressions, body language, and the way they engage with us in the classroom."
“Suddenly they are invested in the rest of the class.
“There's no other police district in Queensland that has these.”
“To our knowledge, there's also no other police district in Australia who uses them.”
There are currently 10 headsets available in the Whitsundays, with plans to acquire 20 more soon.
While the initiative targets young people, Sergeant Stephen Smith notes it’s not limited to them, as discussions with older generations have also been successful.
“It's easy to convince people here that road safety matters, but we're working towards making that mindset constant,” added Sergeant Smith.
Sergeant Stephen Smith with the new VR headsets. Photo Credit: Ruth Puddefoot.
Individuals testing out the headsets. Photo supplied.
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