Virtual reality shows dangers of texting and driving
Seven-in-10 people are using their smartphones while driving, and there is a new virtual reality simulator that shows the dangers of doing just that. AT&T brought that simulator to Idaho Falls to give the public a chance to experience the possible consequences of using your cellphone behind the wheel.
“We encourage everybody that no glance, no post, no text, no email, no selfie is worth a life. We’ve got a virtual reality simulator where we take you through what it’s like to be distracted while driving,” said Christopher Johnson, the ATT&T spokesperson for the “It Can Wait” Campaign.
Locals Sam Hood, Kelsey Gardels and Adam Gilmer were all pretty impressed with the simulator when they tried it out.
It’sts interesting, like, seeing it in that context,” said Hood. “It’s really surprising how often I was really close to hitting somebody. Just from looking at my phone for a split second,” said Gardels.
“It’s like you’re really driving around. But the driver’s not me, it’s some stupid guy, and he keeps looking at that phone and making horrible judgment calls and decisions,” Gilmer said.
When you’re behind the wheel, everything can change in the blink of an eye — and that’s what this virtual reality is trying to ingrain in people. Throughout the experience your virtual self is distracted getting a lot of text messages, and at the end of the simulation you get hit.
“It’s just not worth it. I mean, if you ask yourself the question, ‘Is a two second text or email worth your whole life?’ And it’s not. It can definitely wait,” Johnson said.
When you complete the simulation, you get cardboard virtual goggles. Download the app and you can recreate the impressionable experience just by putting your phone inside.
The booth will be at there until 7 p.m. Wednesday night. This virtual set is at Snake River Landing Wednesday night until 7 p.m., and tomorrow from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
This virtual experience is part of AT&T’s “It Can Wait” Campaign. The campaign allows you to take the pledge of keeping your eyes on the road and not on your phone. It has already inspired more than 10,000,000 pledges since 2010.
