Can’t simply roll it out: Evaluating a real-world virtual reality intervention to reduce driving under the influence

Abstract

Driving under the influence (DUI) increases the risk of crashes. Emerging technologies, such as virtual reality (VR), represent potentially powerful and attractive tools for the prevention of risky behaviours, such as DUI. Therefore, they are embraced in prevention efforts with VR interventions primed to grow in popularity in near future. However, little is known about the actual effectiveness of such DUI-targeting VR interventions. To help fill the knowledge gap, this study explored the effects of one VR intervention as delivered in the real world. Using pre and post test design, including an intervention group (n = 98) and a control group (n = 39), the intervention evaluation examined young drivers’ (aged 18 to 25, no known history of DUI) intention and self-reported behaviour three months after the intervention as compared to the baseline. The results did not provide evidence for statistically significant effects of the VR intervention on self-reported DUI behaviour during the three months post intervention and DUI intention at three months post intervention. Such results might be due to the fact that the recruited participants generally self-reported little DUI behaviour, i.e. positively changing behaviour that is already positive is inherently challenging. Nevertheless, the results question the utility of funding the roll-out of arguably attractive technologies without a thorough understanding of their effectiveness in particular settings. To improve the potential for future positive outcomes of such interventions, we provide suggestions on how VR software might be further developed and, subsequently, leveraged in future research to improve the likelihood for behavioural change, e.g. by collecting, analysing and presenting objective driving performance data. Alternatively, future endeavours might focus on participants with known DUI history and examine the effects of the VR intervention for this particular higher-risk group.

Augmented and Virtual Reality-Driven Interventions for Healthy Behavior Change: A Systematic Review

“…Table 1 shows the target audience for the interventions evaluated. Our results shows that youths are the most targeted users, where ten papers [13,15,16,23,24,26,27,36,47,49] targeted this group. The increased focus on youth could be attributed to the importance of this age group in all communities.…”

“…According to Keijsers et al [22], follow-up measurements are a great asset to intervention studies as initial efects might fade over time. Only 2 papers [49,50] used follow-up measurement in their study.…”

Beyond user experience and technology acceptance: Criteria to select a technology for a road safety behavioural change intervention

“…Gameful designs or gamification may boost motivation and commitment to using such technologies (Diewald, Möller, Roalter, Stockinger, & Kranz, 2013;Steinberger, Schroeter, Foth, & Johnson, 2017). Several integrated tools (feedback, challenges, social approval, and rewards) have the potential to trigger a desired positive impact (Diewald et al, 2013;Vankov, Schroeter, & Twisk, 2021a). However, evidence shows that the positive effects of using such technologies are not guaranteed (Oviedo-Trespalacios, Haque, King, & Washington, 2016;Vankov et al, 2021a;Vankov, 2020).…”

“…Several integrated tools (feedback, challenges, social approval, and rewards) have the potential to trigger a desired positive impact (Diewald et al, 2013;Vankov, Schroeter, & Twisk, 2021a). However, evidence shows that the positive effects of using such technologies are not guaranteed (Oviedo-Trespalacios, Haque, King, & Washington, 2016;Vankov et al, 2021a;Vankov, 2020). Understanding the impact of technologies in interventions can be further complicated by high drop-out rates, lack of information on participants' previous familiarity with the technology, or lack of comparison data (Vankov, 2020).…”

“…At the same time, ethical and legal considerations limit the opportunities for such behaviour to be researched (Brookhuis, Waard, & Samyn, 2004). Novel technology may help open the door for such research to be implemented in safety (Rizzo & Koenig, 2017;Steinberger et al, 2017;Vankov & Jankovszky, InPress;Vankov et al, 2021a). However, to the best of the author's knowledge, no systematic approach to select best-suited novel technology tools to trigger behaviour change is available.…”