The majority of our young people will become drivers - learning about driving risks and responsibilities, and developing positive attitudes towards road safety, needs to start before the first driving lesson.
We teach our future drivers so much about driving without even realising it - and unfortunately not all of it is positive. All those 'bad habits' we started after passing our driving test and laugh about - they are seen as normal behaviour by our future drivers.
Whether it's:
- going over the speed limit because we know where the speed cameras are
- driving after a few drinks because we think we can handle-it
- using our mobile while driving because everyone else does
- getting impatient because there is a learner driver in the road ahead ....
Habits our future drivers will have to 'unlearn' to pass their own driving tests, and attitudes that aren't going to help keep them safe on our roads - is that what we really want to be teaching them?
Imagine how low the Killed and Seriously Injured (KSI) figures would be if everyone drove at the standard needed to pass the driving test.
Driving instructors, along with parents and professionals who are proactively involved, do what we can - but the Killed and Seriously Injured (KSI) figures show it isn’t enough, we all need to do more.
Free Resources and Campaigns
Various organisations have been set up to provide road safety information and guidance relevant to their area of interest and expertise.
Many offer free resources to use, or campaigns to get involved with - all perfect for supporting our future drivers to:
- explore and understand different aspects of road safety
- develop more positive attitudes towards the risks and hazards - especially the Fatal Four
- prepare for a lifetime of safer driving.
Road Safety Resource List
A growing list of resources for anyone who wants to learn about, or to engage with our future drivers about, road safety, including: statistics, animations, information, posters, guides, school sessions, a podcast, videos, webinars, conferences and a VR experience.
National Road Safety Conference - 4th/5th November 2025
2 day conference - in Bedfordshire, and aimed at road safety professionals.
Moulding the Mind of the Motorist Conference - 5th December 2025
1 day conference - in Coventry, and aimed at driver trainers. 'The most dangerous part of any vehicle? The human behind the wheel.'
Young Driver Focus Conference - 13th May 2026
1 day conference - in London, annual event aimed at road safety professionals.
THINK!
Campaigns and resources - 'The UK government has been running road safety campaigns for more than 75 years.' Resources include lesson plans for various age groups.
Protect Young Drivers
Worldwide focus - looking at how other countries are using Graduated Driver Licensing to reduce the Killed or Seriously Injured figures for young drivers.
Road Safety Knowledge Centre
Information and expertise - 'a web-based library of road safety related information and expertise', categories include: teenagers and young drivers.
Road Safety Partnerships
Many areas have their own local Road Safety Partnership websites, the content varies from area to area.
Road Safety GB Academy
Training courses - 'The Academy aspires to provide all practitioners engaged in road safety with support and guidance to develop and enhance the right tools and skills to deliver effective, evidence-led road safety interventions.'
RoadSafe, including: The Safe System Knowledge Exchange
Information and events - 'Our mission is to reduce road deaths and injuries by supporting and encouraging partnerships .... sharing knowledge, encouraging innovation and recognising achievement.'
PsyDrive
Training courses - 'Specialist provider of accredited training for road safety professionals, research, assessment and interventions for improved road safety.'
National Highways - Too Close for Comfort
Tailgating campaign - 'Tailgating can lead to road users feeling anxious and uncomfortable. .... It contributes to an average of 147 people being killed or seriously injured every year on our motorways and major A-roads.'
National Highways - eCall SOS
A safety feature - a button fitted in most new vehicles since April 2018, which will activate automatically if the airbags are deployed, or it can be activated manually.
National Highways - YouTube channel
Videos and shorts - playlists include: Vehicle Checks, Smart Motorways and the Go Left campaign.
what3words
Free app - what3words 'has divided the world into 3 metre squares and given each one a unique identifier made from three words.' Really useful for giving a precise location - especially when needing help due to a breakdown or accident.
Project EDWARD (Every Day Without A Road Death)
Podcast and webinars - 'the biggest platform for showcasing good practice in road safety in the UK', 'backed by government, the emergency services, highways agencies, road safety organisations and British businesses.'
Warwickshire* County Council - The Journey
School sessions - 'for pupils aged 11 – 18 years, focusing on pedestrian and cycle safety, pre- and young drivers, and pre- and young riders.'
*Other councils may offer similar sessions.
IAM RoadSmart - road safety resources
Posters and videos - 'resources that inform and educate', free downloadable road safety posters, and videos with tips and guidance.
Leicestershire* Fire and Rescue Service - The Hazard Express Van
A VR experience - 'occupants will experience the horrors of a road traffic collision in a controlled environment and the consequences of driving too fast and irresponsibly.'
*Other fire and rescue services may offer similar sessions.
DIA - Impairment Goggles
Drunk Busters Impairment Googles - 'offer realistic simulations of impaired driving effects: reduced alertness, slowed reaction time, visual distortion, poor judgment, and more.'
The British Horse Society - Dead Slow campaign
Statistics, videos and guidance - a campaign to make all road users aware of what to do when seeing a horse being ridden on or near a road.
Tyre Safe
Statistics, info. and guides - everything you could ever need to know about tyres and tyre safety, and including: the Tyre Safety Month campaign.
Blue Light Aware
Short videos and animations - created to help drivers understand how to safely support emergency vehicle drivers when the blue lights and / or sirens are on, available in English and in Welsh.
DVSA books
The Official Highway Code - free, searchable, online versions of the rules-of-the-road with all the latest updates, available in English and in Welsh.
Know Your Traffic Signs - a free, online pdf version of the full book, or broken down in individual sections with all the latest updates.
The Honest Truth - My Car My Rules cards
Resources aimed at Driving Instructors - 'no-nonsense, straight-talking, road safety education', including: My Car My Rules cards.
Summary
If you know about another organisation offering relevant information or resources - let us know, it could be just what the next visitor here needs.
Don't miss our other lists of useful links:
- Links re: Driving Theory Resources
- Links re: Additional Support Resources
- Links re: Road Safety Facts and Figures