The Road Ahead: New Video Game Driving Simulator Helps Teens Practice Safe Driving

Driving scenarios address distraction, speeding, impaired driving and work zone safety.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: A new free web-based driving simulation game that uses immersive storytelling is now available to help teens and soon-to-be drivers practice safe driving behaviors in realistic situations.

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and Caltrans announced today the release of The Road Ahead, a gaming experience that teaches young drivers the rules of the road in an interactive environment that challenges teens to make safe driving choices against social pressure and distractions when it matters most: behind the wheel.

WHY IT MATTERS: Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers across the United States. California teenagers 16- to 19-years-old have the highest annual crash and traffic violation rates per 100 drivers. In 2024, 451 California drivers aged 15-20 were involved in fatal traffic crashes. Nationally, 3,208 people were killed in distraction-affected crashes in 2024, including 186 teens 15-19 years old. Young drivers, as defined by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as people ages 15 to 20 years old, accounted for 8.9 percent of all drivers in fatal traffic crashes in 2023; however, young drivers were only 5.1 percent of all licensed drivers in 2023.

High teen crash risk is due to several factors stemming from inexperience, immaturity, inaccurate risk perception, overestimation of driving skills and risk taking. To address this gap, the OTS and Caltrans worked to design and develop an interactive simulation that puts users in first-person driving situations. Through gameplay and decision-making, users can explore how their choices play out in The Road Ahead and practice safer behaviors in an environment designed to be engaging for younger audiences.

"Teens are still developing the skills and experience they need to navigate the new, exciting milestone of driving," said OTS Director Stephanie Dougherty. "'The Road Ahead' is another tool that helps young drivers step into realistic driving scenarios, make consequential choices and immediately see how those decisions play out. Building safer driving habits and making smart decisions at an early age supports safer travel for everyone using our roads."

THE ROAD AHEAD: THREE DRIVING SCENARIOS
The simulation features three gameplays that address common pressures and decisions young drivers may face:

• "One Look Away" – Distracted Driving: Users experience the social and emotional pull to check their phone as they receive multiple text messages while driving.
• "Caught Up in It" – Speeding: Users face normalized, peer-driven pressure to speed when running late.
• "One More Drive" – Impaired Driving: Users experience the overconfidence that can precede the decision to drive home while impaired during a night drive.

The end of each gameplay will also feature safety tips, resources, and video public service announcements, two of which were created by California teens that focus on the dangers of distracted and impaired driving.

Earlier this year, high school students from several states, including California, created traffic safety PSAs and posters as part of the Streets, Art, SAFE competition. Organized by Streets Are for Everyone (also known as SAFE) with Presenting Sponsor AAA, the annual contest educates high school students about traffic safety through the arts - film, posters, and visual storytelling.

"The Road Ahead is an engaging, interactive teaching tool that equips new and soon-to-be drivers with the skills needed to become conscientious motorists," said Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy. "This practical, video-based experience reminds teens and younger drivers that good choices behind the wheel creates safer roadways for themselves, road crews and everyone traveling through California."

This past year, the OTS provided nearly $3.5 million in funding to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to expand teen impaired driving education statewide through programs like Every 15 Minutes, as well as distracted driving education through Impact Teen Drivers (ITD), a non-profit program focused on evidence-based strategies to prevent distracted-affected and other risky driving behaviors. Funding also supports the Start Smart Program, which educates newly licensed teen drivers and their parents through free, officer-led classes at CHP offices.

"Getting behind the wheel is a serious responsibility that demands sound judgment and the ability to adapt to changing conditions," said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. "These skills develop over time through practice. Educating young drivers about the hazards they may encounter on the road raises awareness and fosters positive driving habits. Engaging young drivers early contributes to safer roads for everyone."

"Effective traffic safety education goes beyond knowing the rules and requires strong role modeling," ITD Executive Director Dr. Kelly Browning said. "The Road Ahead is an engaging way that puts teens safely in the driver seat to navigate real-world pressures and practice making safe choices before facing them on the road." 

THE ROAD AHEAD: USER GUIDE
To drive the adoption of The Road Ahead, the OTS and Caltrans created a user guide.
The guide provides an overview of the game instructions for getting started, technical and browser guidance and multiple options for playing individually or with groups. The user guide is available online.

TIPS FOR PARENTS, GUARDIANS, FAMILY MEMBERS AND TEEN DRIVERS
Parents, guardians, family members and friends all play an important role in helping teens develop safe driving habits. The OTS and Caltrans offer the following tips to support teen drivers:

• Know the provisional driver's license law: Learn about California's provisional licensing law, which places restrictions on passengers and nighttime driving during the first year a teen has a license.
• Lead by example: Every time you're behind the wheel, it is a chance to model safe driving habits and talk about it with your teen.
• Not just ground rules, but also the Law: Establish safe driving behaviors that are not only expected, but also the law. This includes no phone use while driving, eliminating distractions from friends, always following the speed limit and always buckling up. Friends, family members, parents and guardians can create a teen driving contract to outline specific driving guidelines.
• Slow down and move over for all vehicles roadside: California law requires drivers to move over, or slow down to a safe, reasonable speed if unsafe to do so, for any stopped vehicle using hazard lights or emergency indicators, including drivers experiencing mechanical trouble or emergencies.
• Sober driving: Emphasize the importance of never driving impaired or riding with someone who has been driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Speak up for safety: Encourage your teen to say something as a passenger if the driver is speeding, distracted, not wearing their seat belt or otherwise driving unsafely.

"Learning to drive is an important responsibility and before teens get behind the wheel, we want them to understand the rules of the road and how to safely share the road with other drivers," said DMV Director Steve Gordon. "This game is an innovative way to help new drivers build their skills and confidence to make smart decisions on California's roads."

Teens are also encouraged to use free, mobile-friendly resources from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV offers teens multiple resources to prepare for their permit and driver's license exams, including the free, mobile-friendly California Quick Reference Driver's Handbook, educational videos and the Teen Driver Roadmap, a step-by-step video guide for teens and their parents to help them prepare to get behind the wheel safely.

For additional tools and resources, visit the DMV website.

Teens, parents, educators, mentors and California drivers can play The Road Ahead at TheRoadAhead.GoSafelyCA.org.

Visit www.gosafelyca.org for more traffic safety information.

About Go Safely, California
In partnership with Caltrans, Go Safely, California is a statewide traffic safety initiative from the OTS that emphasizes safe behaviors and looking out for others using our roads. Since its launch in 2018, hundreds of Californians have responded to the call to be traffic safety champions and encourage everyone to make getting to and from places safely their number one priority.

Contacts:
Cambi Brown, OTS Public Information Officer, 916-214-1840, [email protected]
Edward Barrera, Caltrans Division Chief, Public Affairs
916-708-5013, [email protected]

SOURCE The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and Caltrans.