Texting at 55 mph is like driving the length of a football field … blindfolded.
But many new drivers still do not realize the risks of distracted driving, and Toyota is trying to change that. With a new Oculus Rift virtual reality technology, the Teen Drive 365 program has traveled around the United States to spread safety awareness (It will be at the Seattle Auto Show on Oct. 14 through 18).
It appears that their efforts have been a success. Over 20,000 teens and adults from across the nation have tried out the driving simulator. Participants are asked to evaluate how much common distractions (like having friends in the car) would impede their diving skills beforehand. Ninety percent of participants said that they were unaware of the major impacts that these distractions had on their driving skills and promised to improve these driving behaviors after the simulation.
— Herald news services
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