Virtual Reality Road Safety Experience for Young Drivers in Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) has unveiled a new virtual reality film aimed at educating young drivers about the dangers on the road.

The film, titled ‘5 in 5’, is part of the Vision Van programme – a road safety vehicle that uses immersive Virtual Reality technology to engage students in schools and at community events. Inside the van, users sit in hydraulic chairs and experience realistic driving scenarios, showing how distraction and loss of concentration can lead to serious accidents.

Road traffic injuries remain a leading cause of death among children and young people worldwide. In Great Britain, young drivers are disproportionately involved in serious collisions: in 2022, 19% of all car driver fatalities were aged 17-24, and nearly a quarter of fatal collisions involved at least one young driver.

Station Commander Matthew Hyland, Prevention Manager at BFRS, said:

“Our new ‘5 in 5’ video delivers key road safety advice to help young drivers keep themselves safe. The Vision Van is a fun and engaging way to reach young people, whether they’re already driving, learning to drive, or yet to start. We hope it helps them become the safest drivers they can be.”

The Vision Van has been operating for over a year and is a key part of Bedfordshire’s Road Safety Partnership’s mission to reduce road casualties by 50% by 2035. Schools, colleges, and other educational institutions can book a visit, and the team also takes the van into the wider community.

One recent visitor, a 16-year-old girl, said:

“Some of my male friends like to drive fast, but in future I will have the confidence to say I feel scared and ask them to slow down. If they don’t listen, I will tell them I feel sick and need to get out of the car.”