VR experience comes to Bedfordshire

Road safety education for young people in Bedfordshire is to be transformed with the launch of a new virtual reality immersive experience. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s (BFRS) new Vision Van will engage and educate young drivers in schools and at local events.

Dedicated hydraulic chairs inside the van allow users to immerse themselves into a virtual reality scenario, to better understand the factors and risks that can lead to a driver being distracted or to lose concentration on the road.

Area commander Ian Evans, head of prevention and protection at BFRS, said: “We are called to far too many incidents where younger drivers have either been injured or have caused harm to others as a result of making unwise decisions behind the wheel. The Vision van is a great way of showing drivers how their actions can result in life-changing consequences in an innovative and fun way.

“Over the coming months we will be working with Bedfordshire Road Safety Partnership to get the van out into the community to fulfil our aims.”