The DriveFit 2.0 project, an initiative aimed at significantly improving road safety education for young and novice drivers in the UK, has successfully secured funding from the Road Safety Trust.
This funding is a critical step towards achieving DriveFit 2.0’s aim: to enhance road safety education and address the vulnerability of young road users by redesigning and improving an established intervention.
Building on the success of its predecessor, the DriveFit project, DriveFit 2.0 aims to enhance the effectiveness of pre-driver education through a redesigned, evidence-based intervention.
By incorporating active learning components and leveraging the insights gained from the acclaimed Pre-driver Theatre and Workshop Education Research (PdTWER) project, DriveFit 2.0 aspires to make a lasting impact on the road safety attitudes and intentions of young drivers.
The primary goal of DriveFit 2.0 is to deliver a robust and accessible road safety education programme. The project will:
- redesign the DriveFit intervention for easy implementation in schools and colleges;
- evaluate the intervention’s impact on student attitudes and intentions with the support of two fire and rescue services; and
- disseminate findings to inform and improve road safety education practices nationwide.
DriveFit 2.0 promotional video:
Thanks to the generous funding from the Road Safety Trust, the DriveFit 2.0 project is set to commence its vital work. The project, scheduled to run until July 2025, is supported by the RAC Foundation, the National Fire Chiefs’ Council, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Road Safety GB, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service.
Dr Elizabeth Box, Research Director at the RAC Foundation and Lead Researcher of the DriveFit 2.0 project, said:
“This funding not only represents a significant vote of confidence in our approach but also further supports the evolution of road safety education for this at-risk group.
“With the support of the Road Safety Trust and our partners, we look forward to iterating the original DriveFit programme, to create a more accessible and engaging educational resource that promotes a positive shift in student attitudes and intentions towards road safety.”
Dan Quin, Road Safety and Road Rescue Lead at the National Fire Chiefs Council and Chief Fire Officer of Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“We are proud to support the DriveFit 2.0 project, bringing our front-line experience to this innovative educational initiative. Our commitment to road safety education aligns perfectly with the project’s aims, and we are eager to contribute to its success and the safety of young drivers across the UK.”
Ruth Purdie OBE, Chief Executive of The Road Safety Trust, said:
“Data shows young drivers are over represented in road crashes. That is why educating this cohort is vitally important for road safety.
“Using the latest research, this project seeks to evolve that education, creating an engaging resource that can improve attitudes towards safety.”
For more information, please visit the project website.
ENDS
Contact:
Philip Gomm – Head of External Communications – RAC Foundation
[email protected] | 07711 776448
Notes to editors:
The RAC Foundation is a transport policy and research organisation which explores the economic, mobility, safety and environmental issues relating to roads and their users.
The Foundation publishes independent and authoritative research with which it promotes informed debate and advocates policy in the interest of the responsible motorist. For more information visit: https://www.racfoundation.org.
A video introducing DriveFit 2.0 is available to watch: https://vimeo.com/919620359/c12829f69d
About the National Fire Chiefs Council
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is the professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service.
NFCC drives improvement and development throughout the UK FRS, while supporting strong leadership – including for the devolved administrations.
NFCC delivers an approach where everyone works together and offers up sector-led solutions.
For more information visit: https://nfcc.org.uk
About The Road Safety Trust
The Road Safety Trust is dedicated to achieving zero deaths and serious injuries on UK roads.
To achieve this, The Road Safety Trust provides funding for practical measures, research, dissemination, and education.
We work with others to use the wealth of knowledge and understanding about what works to keep road safety high on the national and local agenda and influence policy change.
We share new knowledge from research and practical interventions across the road safety and wider community to raise awareness and encourage implementation.
For more information visit: https://www.roadsafetytrust.org.uk