What has been the effect of the activities?
With “Consequences”, we used innovative new technology to immerse the target audience in an experience to make them feel, think and behave differently. This unique VR experience was delivered at scale using smartphone technology and VR headsets on a RSA roadshow shuttle that visited schools, colleges, festivals, national and community events, companies and other places where drink driving can happen.
The results? In Ireland over 200,000 people have experienced ‘Consequences’ so far, and the demand for exposure to the experience continues to grow. The RSA having a waiting list of schools and colleges and events asking for the dedicated shuttle bus, and the immersive Consequences experience, to visit their area. The experience is also available on Oculus Go, Google Cardboard, YouTube 360°, and Vimeo 360° making it one of Ireland's most accessible high-end VR activations.
Most importantly, this innovative VR experience has already changed lives, saved lives and is inspiring tomorrow's drivers to change their behaviour.
Ireland won the ETSC Road Safety Performance Index Award in 2019. proving that mediums like VR really can change behaviours and have a positive social impact on society.
“I wish I had experienced this before I lost my license”: Recovering alcoholic at a college demo of the virtual reality experience. Afterwards, he took several of the Google Cardboard versions to his local AA meeting.
Please briefly explain why your initiative is a good example of improving road safety.
Experienced through the medium of virtual reality, “Consequences” brings the audience on a shocking journey, one which leads the user to one of two possible, but inevitable conclusions, both of which highlight the scale of tragedy that can befall someone who is foolish enough to get behind the wheel of a car after drinking alcohol.
Employing a 360° video camera technique, “Consequences” thrust the user in to an immersive environment, one unlike anything most would have experienced through the medium before, and one which puts the user front and centre of a devastating journey, one which was created with the intention to linger and last with the user long after they have taken the headset off.
How have you shared information about your project and its results?
We have shared information on the project through the media in both Ireland and UK. Images of the VR experience have also been shared on RSA.ie as well as on social media platforms. We also promote Consequences in the RSA's Educational Newsletter which goes into every secondary school in Ireland every September as part of the Back to School campaign. Consequences” has been experienced by over 200,00 people on board the RSA’s shuttle roadshow at schools and events across the country, as well as in classrooms and exhibitions through Oculus Go headsets and Google Cardboard. Consequences was also on display in 2019 at the National Ploughing Championships where people from the age of 16 upwards had an opportunity to try it out and experience it. Up to 80,000 people per day visited the National Ploughing Championships which took place over 3 days. Images supplied of this event.