All Grade 11 and 12 students from Green Valley School in Grunthal took turns putting on a virtual reality headset on Wednesday in order to experience, first-hand, the consequences of distracted driving.

MPI Communication Specialist Kyle Vincent indicates that 860 Manitobans are injured by distracted driving every year and that one in every three deaths on provincial roads are caused by distracted driving. “The goal of this virtual reality is to allow students to experience distractions and impaired driving and see what it is like to encounter those situations,” says Vincent.

This student looks like he is wearing a VR headset, in his mind he is at a partyUltimately, this is a fun way of presenting a serious issue. Vince explains that when a student puts on one of MPI’s VR headsets they find themselves at a party. Depending on where they look and who they talk to, they will be led into different situations. However, the outcome of every situation gives participants an opportunity to drive distracted.

Grade 12 student Emily Braun describes her experience: “I was driving two or three passengers to a concert and I accidentally hit a woman and killed her--In virtual reality, not real life!-- I don’t feel like a good person right now!”

Another student, Niki Siemens speaks of his experience. “I picked up a phone and then I got pulled over by the cops so I decided to play it safe and not let that happen again.”

Both students agree that the experience was a little weird, but nevertheless effective. “People should keep their eyes on the road and not be distracted,” comments Siemens.

The School’s Guidance Counsellor, Cam Gerbrandt who helped facilitate the event offers his remarks: “Maybe this will affect [students’] driving decisions for two weeks, maybe not, but it’s important to keep this discussion going so it’s always in peoples heads.”

Cam Gerbrandt waits with students who will soon be taking part in the VR simulator

Vince agrees and stresses that it is essential that young and upcoming drivers realize their driving decisions can result in fines, license suspensions, or even death. He notes that virtual reality is an engaging way of educating students on a very real problem.

Bringing some reality to the subject, the Manitoba Government says tougher penalties for distracted driving will take effect on November 1st. Fines will more than triple to $672 for drivers who use a hand-held cellphone behind the wheel. Those drivers will also lose five demerit points instead of two and face a three-day license suspension for a first-time offense.