New Virtual Reality App Highlights Distraction Risk by Taking Young Drivers
on Crash Course that Ends with Date in Court
MoT changes could
cause road deaths Four-year MoT exemption proposal will put lives at risk, according to Government figures uncovered by
HonestJohn.co.uk
Ford has partnered with Google and award-winning virtual reality (VR) studio Happy Finish to launch Ford Reality Check, a VR app that brings to life the potentially fatal consequences of driving while distracted. Te first-of-its-kind experience uses Google Daydream VR to cast you as a distracted driver picking up friends on the way to a party. Instant messages, phone calls and chatty passengers all compete for attention, sparking a series of near misses. Te final distraction proves fatal – and you are to blame. Latest European Commission data reveals that more than 3,600 young people are killed in accidents on Europe’s roads every year – and two thirds are drivers. Ford Reality Check’s creators hope the educational app will help young people to develop safer driving practices. “Being involved in a car crash can be a life-changing experience – and sadly, for too many young people, one that cuts lives tragically short. We hope that by providing a chilling glimpse of how easily this could actually happen, we will encourage young people to drive more safely,” said Jim Graham, manager, Ford Driving Skills for Life. “Virtual reality is the ideal medium to highlight the dangers of distracted driving to young motorists. Tis age group is more likely to engage with VR, and studies suggest immersive experiences in virtual worlds can positively influence behaviours in the real world too.” Te interruptions faced by drivers in Ford Reality Check are based upon the most prevalent and dangerous distractions for this age group, including those from smartphones and passengers. Te app tracks the amount of time the driver doesn’t have their eyes on the road, displaying the total at the end. In the app, the smartphone in the driver’s hand becomes a key interactive element. Te handheld Google Daydream controller, a unique component of the Daydream VR platform, mirrors the behaviour and interactions of the virtual phone within the app, enhancing the sense of presence in the virtual world. Ford Reality Check is the first app for the Google Daydream VR platform aimed at educating young drivers. “Te powerful creative collaboration between Ford, their agency partners and Google (Zoo) has given rise to a meaningful educational VR project that has the potential to save many young drivers’ lives,” said Steve Paler from Google. In initial tests, 90 per cent of those who used the app said they would change their driving behaviour aſter the experience. “With Ford Reality Check, we have created a safe environment in which to fail – and to learn,” said Daniel Cheetham, for Happy Finish. “It’s one thing to show an educational film to young drivers; it’s another thing entirely to immerse them in its reality. However, we are sure all drivers will benefit from this experience." Ford Reality Check will be demonstrated at the Ford Driving Skills for Life events on the 17th, 18th and 19th November at the ExCeL. Te app is expected to be made available from the Google Play Store at a later date.
26 - Friday 13th October 2017 – Cardiff & South Wales Advertiser
Controversial planned changes to the MoT test will increase
the number
of unsafe vehicles on Britain's roads, according to Government figures obtained by leading consumer motoring site
HonestJohn.co.uk. Te Government's plans to extend the annual roadworthiness test from three to four years – which is currently undergoing a consultation period - could mean 385,000 vehicles that would have failed their first MoT will slip through the net and remain on the road unrepaired. Te leading consumer motoring site analysed millions of previously unseen MoT records from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and found that one in six cars were refused a roadworthiness certificate during the first MoT, with most failing due to unsafe brakes, lights and tyres. Te revelation comes as HonestJohn.
co.uk published the MoT Files for the first time in three years, following a Freedom of Information (FoI) request and protracted fight with the DVSA to make the data public. Success in this long-running battle means that for the first time in years owners and prospective buyers once again have detailed access to the latest MoT records and reasons for failure. It has been published in full at
HonestJohn.co.uk/mot Te publication of
HonestJohn.co.uk’s MoT Files means that consumers can easily spot common failures by make, model, year of registration and postcode based on real world data. HonestJohn.
co.uk’s MoT Files provides simple and detailed access to more than 400m
Government data records and represents another significant step forward for consumers who want to make better informed decisions about their next car purchase. Broken down by model, the detailed data reveals that the worst performing car for the first MoT was the Peugeot 5008, with only 67% of cars registered in 2013 passing in 2016. Te Citroen DS4 was second (73%) while the Renault Megane and Ford Galaxy were third and fourth, with a respective 74% and 75% pass rates. Te Chevrolet Spark completes the list with a pass rate of 76% Te worst car manufacturers for the first MoT in 2016 were Chevrolet, Citroen and Dacia, with respective pass rates of 78%, 79% and 81%. Honda, Porsche and Subaru all hold a collective first place, with the trio showing a first year average pass rate of 91%. Te car with the highest pass rate during the first MoT in 2016 was the Lexus RX 450h with an impressive score of 94%. Te Honda Jazz was second (93%), followed by the Mazda MX-5 (93%), Volkswagen Golf Plus (92%) and the Audi Q5 (92%). Daniel Powell, Managing Editor of
HonestJohn.co.uk said: “Many of the common failure
items are down to
general maintenance, rather than a particular fault with the car. “Te Government’s proposal to extend the first MoT from three to four years will effectively give irresponsible motorists a free pass to drive dangerous cars for an additional 12 months, without any mandatory safety checks.”
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