New AT&T Virtual Reality Simulator Shows Dangers of Smartphone Distracted Driving

For more information, contact:

Cathy Lewandowski

AT&T Corporate Communications

(615) 214-5874

cl2580@att.com

 

 

 

 

New 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 and these new findings, AT&T is bringing a virtual reality simulator to Lipscomb University. Students can experience firsthand how dangerous it is to take their eyes off the road and look at a phone.

 

WHAT:   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 new simulation shows the consequences of looking at a phone while driving. 

 

Samsung and Bose are supporting the tour. It’s an immersive experience delivered through Samsung Gear VR, with premium sound from Bose QuietComfort® 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling® Headphones. 

 

To experience this 3D virtual reality program at home, visit www.ItCanWait.com/VR.   

 

The experience is part of AT&T’s It Can Wait campaign, which urges drivers to visit www.ItCanWait.com. They can pledge to keep their eyes on the road, not on their phone, and share their pledge via Twitter (#ItCanWait) and Facebook. The campaign started by focusing on not texting and driving. It has now expanded its focus to the broader dangers of smartphone use behind the wheel. 

 

Since its launch in 2010, it has:

 

• Helped drive awareness of the dangers of texting while driving to about 90 percent for all audiences surveyed

• Inspired more than 7 million pledges not to text and drive

• 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

 

WHEN: Monday, Nov. 2, 2015 at 11 a.m. for media opps. (Simulator onsite until 2 p.m.)

 

WHERE: Lipscomb University, Bennett Campus Center – One University Park Drive, Nashville, Tenn. 37204

 

VISUALS: Virtual reality simulator

Opportunity for reporters/videographers/photojournalists to experience simulator

Interview opportunities with: 

Sgt. Bob Sheffield, Metro Nashville Police Department

Kendell Poole, Director, Governor’s Highway Safety Office (GHSO) 

Amanda Brown, GHSO Public Information Officer 

Lt. Bill Miller, Tennessee Highway Patrol 

Derek Free – Lipscomb University

It Can Wait sizzle reel

 

^*Research commissioned by AT&T and conducted by Braun Research. Polled 2,067 people in the U.S. aged 16-65 who use their smartphone and drive at least once a day. Additional information available here.

 

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