Young Driver Focus is an annual one-day conference uniquely focused on helping road safety professionals improve young driver road safety.

It is organised by FirstCar with help from GEM Motoring Assist, Road Safety GB and the RAC Foundation. The main aim is to share and discuss the latest data, research, insights, strategies and ideas around keeping and making young drivers safer for their benefit and every other road user.

Annual success

Now in its eighth year, the event will be held at the prestigious Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall, London on Wednesday, 10th May 2023. It brings together road safety professionals from across the UK, spanning both the public and private sectors.

Driver trainers are an essential part of the mix, along side academics, business operators, charities and anyone else with an interest in young drivers.

More speakers

The latest speakers announced are Ashleigh Fitness and Tom Leggett.

Ashleigh is Professor of Transport Human Factors and Sleep Science at Loughborough University Transport Safety Research Centre. She is fascinated by sleepiness and fatigue and their impact on safety. She will examine the impact of fatigue on new drivers’ ability to perform critical tasks and consider how best to engage young, novice drivers in managing their fatigue.

Tom is an experienced Vehicle Technology Specialist at Thatcham. As part of this important role, he gathers insight and intelligence regarding current and future vehicle technology. This technology could relate to automation, connectivity, safety, repair, electrification and security. We’ll be hearing about technology that can dramatically increase the safety of new drivers, as well as developments that may provide additional distractions.

Round table

Other topics being covering at this year’s event include:

  • Extending the learning to drive process
  • Wearing a seatbelt
  • Choosing telematics insurance
  • Driving safer vehicles
  • Getting enough sleep

Get involved

If you have an interest in young drivers and would like to attend and participate in round table discussions and break-out sessions, go to: www.youngdriverfocus.org.uk/tickets .

This is an important event for anyone working with, or interested in, young driver training and road safety.