Samsung partners driving schools to educate new drivers on potential implications of distractions from mobile devices while driving

Singapore – September 15, 2017 –To help educate new drivers on the dangers of distractions from using mobile devices while driving, Samsung has deployed its latest development in VR content – Eyes on the Road – at all driving schools in Singapore. Launched initially at Nex Shopping Centre during the commencement of the Singapore Road Safety Month 2017, the Eyes on the Road VR content was subsequently deployed at the Samsung Experience Store at VivoCity and has engaged more than 70,000 participants across all platforms since May. Following the success of more than 6,000 participants trying out the Eyes on the Road VR Content deployed at both shopping centres, Samsung has also rolled out the Eyes on the Road VR content to driving schools to help inculcate good driving habits in trainee drivers.

"Samsung's Eyes on the Road VR content was created to present viewers with a simulated environment on the dangers of distracted driving," said Esther Low, Head of Corporate Marketing, Samsung Electronics Singapore. "To continue in our education and awareness efforts on this issue, we are pleased to partner all three driving schools in Singapore to provide an opportunity for driving students and new drivers to educate themselves on the importance of cultivating good road safety habits."

The Singapore Safety Driving Centre, ComfortDelGro Driving Centre and Bukit Batok Driving Centre have been fitted with Samsung Gear VRs¹ showcasing the Eyes on the Road VR content to help educate soon-to-be drivers in a safe yet realistic manner on the potentially hazardous situations they may place themselves and other road users in when using mobile devices while driving.Placed in the administrative holding areas of the driving schools, the aim of this initiative is to develop a strong sense of responsibility among new drivers on the road to adhere to road safety procedures.

"Harnessing the use of VR technology to provide a simulation for drivers to experience the dangers of distracted driving would have been nothing more than fantasy 10 years ago," said Ron Ngong, Assistant Vice President, ComfortDelGro Driving Centre. "With it, drivers and pedestrians can now get a first-hand experience of what could potentially happen if they don't adhere to safety rules while on the road."

"The VR content was really interesting and it shows us the potential dangers of distracted driving," said Gregory Teo, 21, a full-time National Serviceman, on his experience using the Eyes on the Road VR Content. "I think this a great initiative to help educate new drivers or soon-to-be drivers like myself, as nothing really prepares you for situations shown in the Eyes on the Road VR content and I think education and simulation are great ways to try and get that message across."

Encouraging Safe Driving Through VR Technology

Although the number of fatal accidents has decreased by 5.4 percent from 2015 to 2016, the number of injury accidents has seen a rise of 2.7 percent in 2016 as compared to 2015². To help reduce the number of traffic incidents caused by distractions from mobile devices, Samsung's Eyes on the Road VR content features different dangerous scenarios to discourage the use of mobile devices while on the road. For example, a scenario plays out whereby the user, experiencing the point of view of a driver, almost gets into an accident at a pedestrian crossing due to distractions from his mobile device.

"While the number of traffic fatalities has decreased in the past years, we are still seeing a rise in traffic accidents resulting in injuries, said Mr. Bernard Tay, Chairman, Singapore Road Safety Council. "To help reduce the number of traffic incidents caused by distractions from mobile devices, it is timely for us to partner with Samsung to use their immersive VR content to inspire and enhance RoadSense culture.''

Samsung's Eyes on the RoadVR content can now be downloaded via the Samsung VR store for free and is compatible with all Samsung Gear VR-compatible devices³.

¹Not recommended for children under 13 years, please see doctor before use if pregnant, elderly and/or with heart, epileptic or medical conditions. Detailed health and safety warnings apply, please see https://oculus.com/warnings.

²According to Annual Road Traffic Situation 2016 study conducted by the Singapore Police Force: http://www.police.gov.sg/~/media/spf/files/statistics/20170215_stats_road_traffic_situation_2016.pdf

³The Samsung Gear VR is compatible with the Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ and Galaxy Note8.

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