The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and the California Department of Public Safety (Caltrans) have released The Road Ahead, a web-based driving simulator that helps young and new drivers with realistic situations.
The Road Ahead is a fully immersive and interactive game that puts players in a first-person driving perspective. Choices and decisions play out in the digital environment, teaching realistic consequences, safety, and awareness. The free user guide is available here.
The driving sim offers three scenarios:
- “One Look Away” – Distracted Driving: Users must avoid checking their phone while receiving multiple messages and alerts. Diabolical!
- “Caught Up in It” – Speeding: Users are running late and pressured to speed on the road.
- “One More Drive” – Impaired Driving: Simulates the overconfidence that comes with making the decision to drive home while impaired at night.
Each scenario ends with safety tips, resources, and good old fashioned Public Service Announcements, including those created by real teenagers from a recent Streets Are SAFE competition.
Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States, and California teens have the highest annual crash and traffic violation rates in the country.
“The Road Ahead is an engaging, interactive teaching tool that equips new and soon-to-be drivers with the skills needed to become conscientious motorists,” said Dina El-Tawansy, Director, Caltrans. “This practical, video-based experience reminds teens and younger drivers that good choices behind the wheel creates safer roadways for themselves, road crews and everyone traveling through California.”
“Teens are still developing the skills and experience they need to navigate the new, exciting milestone of driving,” said Stephanie Dougherty, Director, OTS. “‘The Road Ahead’ is another tool that helps young drivers step into realistic driving scenarios, make consequential choices and immediately see how those decisions play out. Building safer driving habits and making smart decisions at an early age supports safer travel for everyone using our roads.”
The Road Ahead is free-to-play on any web browser at TheRoadAhead.GoSafelyCA.org.
