Keep Driving VR - mature driver educational intervention

/
 

INTRODUCTION

This is the first virtual reality education film created entirely through crowdfunding and it’s been an amazing experience. Not only have the production costs been shared between multiple agencies, but the production process has been enriched by having so much experience and expertise around the table during the planning, shooting and editing phases.

I’m delighted that Rob Heard, Chair of the Older Driver’s Forum, was able and willing to lead on the specialist areas of the storyboard and script. He also presented/narrated the film, drawing on his own experiences in retiring from the police and accepting that some of his advanced skills would surely depreciate over time. This gives the film an incredibly personal feel, whilst remaining professional.

I would like to thank the following partners for contributing to the film and supporting the production process. So great was the support that in the end we were overfunded! The surplus has been used to engage Ian Edwards on a project to evaluate the success of the film.

  • Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service

  • Buckinghamshire County Council

  • Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership

  • Wiltshire Council

  • Luton Borough Council

  • Avon & Somerset Police

  • Hertfordshire County Council

  • West Mercia Police

  • Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue

  • Nextbase

  • Older Driver Forum

  • Cheshire West and Chester Council

  • YSS

  • Scottish Fire and Rescue Service 

SUMMARY OF THE ORIGINAL BRIEF

To create a 360/VR experience aimed at helping mature drivers better understand the risks and hazards that become more prevalent with age, such as impaired vision and reduced physical mobility. Whilst this film will demonstrate some of the negative effects of age on driving, the main purpose of this film isn’t to scare viewers, but rather to increase their awareness of the issues, facilitate engagement and offer coping strategies, so they can drive safely for longer.

OBJECTIVES

This intervention is built around the following key objectives:

  • Increased awareness of reduced physical mobility (i.e. range of next movement)

  • Understand the effect impaired vision can have on safe driving

  • Demonstrate how speed perception abilities can deteriorate with age

  • Reinforce the importance of maintaining hazard awareness and prediction skills

DELIVERY

This intervention has been designed to be delivered by facilitators in two phases. The first part of the film lasts around 4 minutes, after which point viewers are asked to remove the headset and engage in a discussion. They then don the headset again and complete the final section of the film, which includes either a rural or urban commentary drive sequence depending on which the facilitator feels is most appropriate.

Rob has produced comprehensive facilitator notes to ensure thorough delivery of the key messages and that any risks around using virtual reality are fully mitigated.

PREVIEW

Please see below a YouTube 360 embed showing the Rural Road version of the film.

 
 
 

BEHIND THE SCENES PHOTOS