Evaluating a Virtual Reality Game to Enhance Teen Distracted Driving Education: Mixed Methods Pilot Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Inexperienced adolescent drivers are particularly susceptible to engaging in distracted driving behaviors (DDBs) such as texting while driving (TWD). Traditional driver education approaches have shown limited success in reducing motor vehicle crashes among young drivers.

Objective

We tested an innovative approach to help address the critical issue of DDB among teenagers. We investigated the effectiveness of using a novel virtual reality (VR) game "Distracted Navigator" to educate novice teenage drivers about DDB.

Methods

The game consisted of maneuvering a spaceship around asteroids while engaging in simulated DDB (eg, inputting numbers into a keypad). A physician-facilitated discussion, based on the theory of planned behavior, linked gameplay to real-life

SUBMITTER: Peterson CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11632282 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature