Research into the use of virtual reality (VR) road safety films suggests that playing on negative emotions through the use of, for example, a crash scene weakens the level of engagement and is likely to lead to participants detaching themselves from the scenario.

The study, commissioned by Safer Roads Humber and carried out by Road Safety Analysis (RSA), also found that the use of a VR film as a standalone activity will not lead to the required behaviour change, and as such the films should be used as part of a wider intervention such as a classroom presentation.

Described as a ‘new and innovative method of delivering content at interventions’, VR technology is gaining in popularity among the road safety community.

Much of this is due to an increase in its affordability and commercial application, as well as the quality of material that can now be displayed through it.

The RSA research, which evaluated the psychological and physiological effects that take place when viewing differing types of content through 360 VR headsets, centred on the ‘Virtual Reality Fatal 4 – 360 (VF4 360)’ film.

Developed by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service in 2016, VF4 360 is designed to give young drivers the ‘most realistic experience’ of a road traffic collision from the front seat passenger’s perspective.

The research, conducted among more than 120 college students, explored the impact of the VF4 film in standard 2D, compared with the 3D VR film. The researchers found a ‘clear distinction’ between viewing the films in these different formats – with 3D having a greater impact on students.

Safer Roads Humber hopes the research will enable road safety professionals to understand how ‘different emotional stances affect the level of presence when using VR’, thereby allowing practitioners to build upon current projects and take VR to the next stage.

This month, our guest columnist Brian Mwebaze Kanaahe takes us to Nairobi Kenya where he talks to Esther Muiruri: a self anointed environment and climate change addict leading the Ride for Humanity Campaign and how it relates to youth and road safety in Kenya’s  elections  already in high definition mode.

Last month, May was THAT month where we celebrated (or better climax) the UN Global Road Safety Week. If you have not heard or done anything about it, STOP what you’re doing, Go to:http://www.unroadsafetyweek.org and get involved now! In a spine chilling BBC Report   news more than 34 students were killed in #Arusha, #Tanzania when their bus crashed as they headed for an academic contest. Has anybody done anything to make sure this NEVER happens AGAIN? (Pause)

Right, so despite being on an international training on Water and Sanitation and Food Insecurity Programming run by the International Federation of the Red Cross & Red Crescent in  Nairobi, I came to learn about the Ride for Humanity Road Safety Youth Campaign, and yes you guessed rightly, I plunged myself into it consequently interviewing  Esther. Read on:

Brian K:

Exactly, what is this Ride for Humanity madness?

Esther M:

Ride for Humanity, is an annual 10 km ride within Nairobi organized by the Kenya Red Cross Nairobi County Youth that aims at raising awareness on road safety and urban disasters. This year, the ride aim was to raise awareness on youth action on road safety and peace while reaching out to those in the dire need. The event was held on the 7th May 2017 under the theme of “SAFETY AND PEACE FOR EVERYONE” which is in line with the 2017 world Red Cross day theme of “Everywhere for Everyone”.  

Brian K:

Umm, the Ride for Humanity Theme, how does it relate to the well being of youths here?

Esther M:

The theme communicated to the raising cases of traffic accidents at Nairobi County and in Kenya as well as raising concerns of internal conflicts and political temperatures ahead of the Kenya’s general election. The Ride was designed by young people and for young people to help address challenges that are faced by the largest demographic dividend of the youthful population in Nairobi and Kenya as a country.  Many young people are often vulnerable to being used as destructive tools by politicians during electioneer periods; hence the need to urge the youth bulge to be agents of peace in their communities.

Brian K:

Aha, how does this campaign address the elections excitement especially crazy risk practices by youths on the road?

Esther M:

This project contributes to priority number one of the Sendai Framework of understanding disaster risk. This is based on the belief that disaster risk management should be based on an understanding of disaster risk in all its dimensions of vulnerability, capacity, exposure of persons and assets, hazard characteristics and the environment where such knowledge can be used for risk assessment, prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response. Hence ride for humanity addresses the key underlying risks posed by use of motorbikes and bicycles on the roads while advocating for peaceful communities. And ofcourse, the global UN road safety week which encourages all road users to #SlowDown.

Brian K:

What message do you have for other young leaders who want to do something about this road madness?

Esther M:

I have already received a lot of positive feedback from all over the world and many young leaders love the ride for humanity concept which they would like to implement in their own communities. Change starts with me and so does our individual actions. I encourage fellow youth leaders, community change makers and the entire world to aspire for positive change and work with their communities to develop sustainable solutions.

Young people continue to act within their hoods despite challenges. Road Traffic Crashes sadly continue to be the elading cause of death for young people globally, and supporting young people to address this same problem that affects them may as well be rated as a magic pill. Oh, wait, did I mention I participated in the #UNRSW #SlowDown?

It’s one of the fastest growing problems on Queensland (Australia) roads – distracted driving and its a big problem all around the world, especially facing youth. If you’ve texted, called, snapped a photo, entered an address, or updated a Facebook status while behind the wheel, you’re guilty.

RACQ, in partnership with the Sunday Mail, has launched its “bag a phone, not a body” initiative for the month of June, a confronting awareness campaign aimed at getting drivers to put their phones away. It’s encouraging drivers to place their phones out of reach and in a bag – whether that be a handbag, sports bag or even shopping bag.

RACQ’s Paul Turner said it was a matter of changing the mentality around texting, calling or using social media when behind the wheel.

“Changing habits takes time but it’s not impossible. If we look at drink driving – it may have been socially acceptable for people to jump into their cars after a night at the pub in the 70s, but thanks to campaigns that raised awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence, there’s been a shift away from thinking that behaviour is okay,” Mr Turner said.

“We need to see that same shift in regards to distracted driving. The sooner people put their phones away when driving, the sooner lives will be saved.”

Fast facts:

• The average person checks their phone 150 times a day, and if that’s average some people are checking their phones a LOT more
• Australian men unlock their phones more than anyone in the world – on average 45 to 46 times a day, while for women it’s around 42
• Australian men and women spend about two hours each day on their phones, that’s not including use for music streaming, video streaming, or making calls.

This update was provide by Mr. Joel Tucker, YOURS Regional Champion of the Western Pacific Region.

Read more about Joel and the Regional Champions at YOURS.