Local authorities across Ireland have begun to roll out a new innovative road safety initiative.

Utilising virtual reality (VR) technology, the experience immerses the user in a 360 degree simulation of a fatal road collision from the perspective of a front seat passenger.

It is being launched ahead of Irish Road Safety Week from Monday 07 October to Sunday 13 October.

Cork County Council introduced the VR headsets late last year as part of the 'Your Life – Your Choice' programme, which is targeted at younger drivers, aged 16 to 25, who are among the most vulnerable road users with passenger fatalities the highest in this age group.

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Following success in Cork, the VR experience has begun to be rolled out nationwide.

At the recent national launch event in the Aviva Stadium the new Aviva sponsored VR headsets were presented to road safety officers from local authorities across Ireland.  

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Christopher O'Sullivan explained: "This initiative was driven by Cork County Council's Safety Officer, starting with a meeting of minds of people who wanted to make a difference around safety on our roads. I am very proud that what started with us here in County Cork has now gone countrywide and it is sure to save lives."

(CM/MH)