Queensland Police Service (QPS) and Transport Main Roads (TMR) today launched Drive to Thrive – a new virtual reality (VR) resource aimed at educating students about road safety.
Putting young people in the driver's seat, the 360-degree virtual reality experience allows students to safely navigate and respond to a number of road safety scenarios in an engaging and immersive visual and auditory experience.
The experience allows participants to follow a group of young adults as they attend a party, before making decisions in relation to driving, which centre around the Fatal Five behaviours.
Following the program, young people and police officers can discuss the experience and the choices made by both drivers and passengers.
The sessions will roll out across participating schools, community groups and workplaces throughout the District in the coming months.
The program, which was originally created and launched in Mackay District in 2023, has become a popular tool to convey the challenges road users and emergency services can sometimes face on roads.
Capricornia District Acting Inspector Shaune English said he is excited to introduce the new education tool to the District.
"Through engaging and interacting with young drivers around the importance of road safety, we continue our commitment to reducing the number of serious injuries and lives lost on Queensland roads."
"This resource gives young drivers the opportunity to make decisions and analyse their choices in real world situations without the associated risks. Through education initiatives such as this, we can work together to make our roads safer for everyone."
"We have already seen positive feedback from sessions in Gladstone and look forward to this being rolled out in other areas across the District."
Transport Main Roads (TMR) Joanna Robinson said TMR's Community Road Safety Education Grants support community led initiatives that deliver targeted road safety education and help change behaviours on Queensland roads.
"Drive to Thrive demonstrates how innovative tools like virtual reality can engage communities in powerful conversations about the Fatal Five and safer road user choices," Ms Robinson said.
"By supporting programs like this, TMR is helping community partners such as Queensland Police Service deliver practical, impactful road safety messages to a wide range of audiences, including young people and vulnerable road users.
"Local road safety challenges are often best addressed at the community level, and these grants ensure local knowledge and expertise are at the centre of developing effective solutions."
To book a Drive to Thrive seminar at your school or organisation, contact Capricornia District's District Crime Prevention Coordinator team at [email protected]
The Queensland Police Service is committed to reducing the number of lives lost on our roads.
Every choice you make behind the wheel, matters. Driving under the influence, speeding, driving distracted or not wearing a seatbelt puts your life – and the lives of others – at serious risk. These dangerous behaviours will not be tolerated. Queenslanders can expect police – anywhere, anytime.
Safer roads start with you.
