Case Study : FirstCar continued ...
FirstCar work with other road safety professionals
Virtual reality ( see pages 141-143 for more on VR ) During the FirstCar KEC we also discussed how Virtual Reality films and immersive experiences , just like any technological solutions , need to be thought of as part of a package of intervention that is wrapped around it - and not as a stand-alone ‘ techno-fix ’ to the issue of mobile phone use by drivers . Much VR film that FirstCar have been involved in producing recently has focused on positive messages , and we would endorse this , particularly when the approach is targeted at groups of individuals who respond more positively to that approach than fear ( such as young males ¹).
It was also highlighted that many of the more recent virtual reality films that have been developed have adopted a ‘ rewind ’ style whereby the risky behaviour and the associated consequences that have been depicted are avoided . We think this could work well in combination with a suite of suggested ‘ avoidance strategies ’ that are explained to individuals following their experience of VR . Some practical ideas are suggested on p96 . As FirstCar have the opportunity to work with a range of road safety professionals on the design of VR packages , there is an opportunity for the team to highlight these ideas to those endeavouring to develop a VR approach .
Campaign material / pledges As FirstCar also have the opportunity to input into the pledges and campaign material produced by other projects , they can have a role in sharing some of the thinking that we have shared . This includes the range of ideas discussed on pages 104-106 , for example the benefits of a ‘ social ’ pledge , and some follow-up engagement .
Evaluation
FirstCar are ideally placed to influence other practitioners at the point when interventions are beingdesigned , and as such could become ambassadors for evaluation . FirstCar have opportunities to offer advice , and encouragement on how and why to conduct meaningful evaluations . Information relating to evaluation can be found on pages 25-28 .
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¹ Wundersitz , L . N ., Hutchinson , T . P . and Woolley , J . E ., ( 2010 ). Best practice in road safety mass media campaigns : A literature review . Social Psychology , 5 , pp . 119-186 .