The Gear VR is capable of providing an immersive virtual reality experience which makes the user feel as if they have been transported to another time and place. This technology is being put to use in movies, concerts, sporting events and more but Leicestershire Fire and Rescue have come up with another novel way of using virtual reality. They have created a VR experience for the Gear VR that teaches young drivers in Market Harborough about the horrors of a car crash in a bid to make better drivers out of them. One in four drivers under the age of 24 is expected to be involved in a car crash within the first two years of driving which is why rescues services are trying to teach them that it's worth taking extra care behind the wheel.
The virtual reality experience powered by the Samsung Gear VR enables young drivers to watch a virtual version of themselves being cut out of a totalled car and receiving medical treatment. All participants were found to show elevated heart rates during the VR experience and one even reported experiencing sympathy pains from an injection. A participant who had previously been involved in a car accident that resulted in the death of two friends described the VR experience as “very good,” but asked for it to be turned off as he found it too realistic. After watching the VR experience one participant even claimed that she doesn't want to get inside a car ever again! The idea behind this experience was to teach young drivers about the potential for disaster when they're not paying attention behind the wheel. Hopefully, this will teach them to be more careful when on the road. You can check out a small part of this VR experience here.
