New virtual reality technology aimed at helping young drivers and motorcyclists make safer decisions on Welsh roads has been launched at a South Wales school.
Deputy Minister for Transport Mark Hooper visited Tonyrefail Community School on Thursday, September 24, to launch new VR road safety content funded by the Welsh Government.
The resources form part of Operation Atal, which is delivered in partnership with GoSafe, the police and fire and rescue services in Wales.
The initiative runs road safety sessions in schools and engages directly with drivers at the roadside, helping people understand the risks associated with speeding in communities, the importance of wearing seatbelts and the dangers of incorrectly fitted child car seats.
Welsh Government funding has enabled four new VR films to be produced specifically for motorcyclists and young drivers, two groups which are disproportionately represented in collision statistics across Wales.
Using real-life scenarios and storytelling, the films aim to influence behaviour, improve hazard awareness and ultimately reduce the number of serious and fatal collisions on Welsh roads.
During the visit to Tonyrefail Community School, pupils and the Deputy Minister took part in the Alive Five VR experience.
They also joined an engagement session with police focusing on the illegal use of e-bikes and e-scooters, which included a display of confiscated items.
Pupils were also able to try a motorcycle simulator designed to educate and engage inexperienced riders.
The simulator, which is on loan to Wales from Devon and Cornwall Police, uses a real motorbike alongside specialist software to test riders’ hazard awareness.
It features authentic controls including brakes, clutch, throttle and indicators to replicate real-life road conditions.
Riders aged 16 and over are surrounded by integrated video screens, with realistic vibration, surround sound and working wing mirrors creating an immersive experience.
Deputy Minister for Transport, Mark Hooper, who rides an electric Vespa himself, said:
“I’m pleased to be here today to see how innovative technology is being used to support road safety education. Virtual reality provides an immersive way of helping young people understand risk, build hazard awareness and make safer choices on our roads.
“Young drivers and motorcyclists remain disproportionately represented in serious collisions across Wales. Initiatives such as Operation Atal are important because they focus on prevention, helping people recognise risks before tragedy occurs.”
Detective Superintendent, Tom Moore, Head of GoSafe said:
“These new VR resources provide a powerful way to engage young drivers and riders, helping them recognise risks and make safer decisions. Education and prevention are key to making Wales’s roads safer for everyone.”
Each of Wales’s three Fire and Rescue Service areas has been provided with a set of VR goggles, allowing the road safety resources to be used across the country.
