Today, for the first time Allstate “Reality Rides” debuts in Seattle on its tour of more than 20 American cities to bring a driving simulator that demonstrates the dangers of distracted driving. Allstate Insurance Company is building upon its efforts to bring awareness around distraction-free driving with this new national campaign tour.
In Seattle, Reality Rides will visit Nathan Hale High School from 8:30 a.m. till 2:30 p.m.
”The Allstate Reality Rides tour is a representation of the commitment Allstate has shown to the Seattle community to make our roads safer,” said Kris Eul, a local Allstate exclusive agency owner. “The simulator is an innovative approach to how we are reaching consumers and building public awareness around distraction-free driving.”
Reality Rides consists of a driving simulator that utilizes a real – but stationary – vehicle equipped with virtual reality technology, including a headset that displays an animated environment and reacts to the driver’s motions. Using the vehicle’s steering wheel, gas and brake pedals, the driver is tasked with driving while also attempting to text and talk on the phone.
These simulations demonstrate the potential consequences distracted drivers could face while on the road. To add impact to the simulations, Seattle participants are given traffic “tickets” that reveal potential infractions a driver could receive if the experience happened in real life. Participants will also have the opportunity to take the Allstate X the TXT™ pledge that promises to not text and drive.
Allstate is reaching out to families in Seattle because more than 3,000 deaths from crashes with a distracted driver occur each year:
- Studies have shown drivers who text are 23 times more likely to crash, and texting while driving is the equivalent to driving impaired after drinking four beers.
- Car crashes are the number one cause of death for everyone in the U.S. ages 1-34, with teens crashing four times more often than any other age group.
- Recent research from The Allstate Foundation’s License to Save report found that comprehensive GDL laws in Washington could save an estimated 32 lives and $200 million annually.
- In Washington, Allstate is advocating for stronger teen driving laws, referred to as Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL). To reach the provisions that would bring Washington up to recommended standards, Allstate proposes: Minimum age 16 for learner’s permit, nighttime restriction, passenger restriction and age 18 unrestricted license.
To track the Allstate Reality Rides tour and see photos of Seattle participants, visit facebook.com/xthetxt. While there, check out information and resources, engage in the conversation and invite family and friends to take action in support of stronger teen driving laws.