MINTEDVR: A New Way to Learn Before You Drive
Learning to drive can be exciting, but for many young people, getting behind the wheel for the first time can also be daunting. Former police officer and road safety advocate Ashley Gore saw an opportunity to help learners build confidence and understand the fundamentals of driving before getting into a real car.
After a career in policing, including road policing and training new officers, Ashley began exploring ways technology could make driver education more accessible. This led to the creation of MINTEDVR, a New Zealand-developed virtual reality driver training programme.
MINTEDVR allows learners to experience driving in a realistic virtual environment, using virtual controls including the steering wheel, indicators, mirrors and gears. Learners practise key skills such as checking mirrors and blind spots, maintaining safe following distances, positioning their vehicle, navigating intersections and choosing safe gaps in traffic.
The programme is designed to complement, rather than replace, practical driver training. Across approximately 10 sessions, learners can practise and receive feedback on their driving before progressing to on road instruction with a qualified instructor. The aim is to give young people an opportunity to build good habits and develop their awareness and decision making skills in a safe environment.
One of the key benefits of MINTEDVR is its accessibility. The portable system uses 10 headsets and can be set up in schools, libraries and community spaces. It is currently being delivered by coaches in several regions across New Zealand, with the programme available to anyone and any age.
Ashley’s vision is to make driver education more accessible to people who may not have easy access to a vehicle, a driving instructor or someone who can teach them. He hopes that technology like MINTEDVR can help remove some of the barriers young people face when working towards their licence.
MINTEDVR also offers Mint Road Rules, a free app designed to help learners prepare for their licence test. The app covers the road rules through quizzes and includes bilingual options to support learners who speak languages other than English.
For schools and communities looking for innovative ways to prepare young people for driving, MINTEDVR provides another tool to build knowledge, awareness and safer driving habits before learners take to the road.
By giving young people more opportunities to practise, learn and develop safe driving habits before they are behind the wheel, programmes like MINTEDVR can play an important role in supporting the next generation of safer drivers. It is another example of how innovation and education can work together to help keep our young people safe on the road.
Find more information at https://mintedvr.com/