Distracted Driving Awareness Programme: E-Learning Project

During my studies at Munster Technological University, I embarked on an ambitious project to address the growing issue of distracted driving. Having witnessed first-hand the devastating consequences of road accidents, including the loss of three friends, all in different incidents, the topic of road safety resonates deeply with me. This personal connection inspired me to create an impactful e-learning course using Articulate Storyline 360, Moodle, Photoshop and several other authoring applications.

The aim of the project was to design a story driven awareness course that could be offered to drivers caught using their phones behind the wheel. In the UK and other countries, similar initiatives are already in place for speed offenders, but I wanted to focus specifically on distracted driving, a significant and pressing problem on Irish roads.

The need for such an intervention is evident. In 2025, the Road Safety Authority reported 185 road fatalities in Ireland, with 41% being drivers and 22% pedestrians. These sobering statistics fuelled my determination to create a course that would genuinely resonate with learners and encourage lasting behavioural change.

The e-learning module I developed is part of a broader four-module programme, all hosted on a bespoke Moodle site. Utilising the powerful capabilities of Storyline 360 and Moodle, I integrated gamified elements such as quests, achievements, digital badges, and certificates to boost engagement and motivation. The interactive features allowed participants to experience real-life scenarios, make choices, and see the consequences of distracted driving in a safe learning environment.

Throughout the development process, I sought peer review and feedback to refine the course. One recurring suggestion was that my visual theme, while vibrant and approachable, might have been a touch too stylised and cartoon-like for the target audience. This insight has been invaluable, highlighting the importance of aligning design choices with the needs and expectations of learners, especially when dealing with serious subjects like road safety.

Overall, building this e-learning project with Storyline 360 has been a deeply rewarding experience. Not only has it allowed me to develop my instructional design and technical skills, but it has also given me the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to the conversation around distracted driving and road safety in Ireland.

The following applications and resources used to create the course were:

• Storyline 360
• Vyond
• Adobe Audition
• Photoshop
• Premiere Pro