AT&T Bringing Virtual Reality Simulator to RI State House

AT&T* research shows that 7-in-10 people engage in smartphone activities while driving. People are doing much more than just texting from behind the wheel. They’re checking email, posting to social, and even snapping selfies.

To drive home the message, AT&T is bringing a virtual reality simulator to the Rhode Island State House, giving passersby the opportunity to experience firsthand how dangerous it is to take their eyes off the road and glance at a phone.

When you’re behind the wheel, everything can change in the blink of an eye.

A post, a selfie, a text, a scroll, an email—one look is all it takes. This simulation shows the consequences of glancing at a phone while driving.

People can also use their own smartphone to view the 360° experience at home.

The experience is part of the AT&T IT CAN WAIT campaign, which urges drivers to keep their eyes on the road, not on their phones because distracted driving is never OK. The campaign began with a focus on not texting and driving. It has now expanded to the broader dangers of smartphone use behind the wheel.

Since its launch in 2010, the campaign has:

• Helped grow awareness of the dangers of smartphone distracted driving to nearly 90% of audiences surveyed.
• Inspired more than 15 million pledges to not drive distracted.
• Worked with departments of transportation in Texas, Kentucky and other states on research that suggests a correlation between IT CAN WAIT campaign activities and a reduction in crashes.
• Collaborated with AT&T data scientists on research that shows how statewide anti-texting laws impact the rate of texting while driving.

The simulator will be on-site on the North Plaza at the State House (82 Smith Street) from 12 - 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 4.