Our Speakers

Nicholas Lyes
Director of Policy and Standards, IAM RoadSmart

Engaging younger people in road safety – where are the problems and what might be the solutions?

Following extensive research by IAM RoadSmart, Nicholas will present key findings and work through some of the most challenging questions facing our audience, including:

  • What are the main issues with younger drivers?

  • How are insurance costs causing problems?

  • Where do younger drivers sit in terms of criminality (insurance and dangerous driving)?

  • Are young people engaged with practical solutions?

  • How to engage in practical learning terms for younger drivers.

Nicholas Lyes is Policy and Standards Director at IAM RoadSmart, overseeing research and communications. Previously head of roads policy at the RAC, Nick has carried out lots of research into the behaviours of drivers and has more than 10 years experience within roads and driving policy.

Dr Elizabeth Box
Research Director, RAC Foundation

Guiding the way: The role of parents and guardians in young driver safety

This presentation explores the role parents and guardians play in shaping safe driving behaviours among young drivers. Drawing on research and successful international models, Elizabeth will highlight effective strategies that empower parents to support safer driving, while also cautioning against approaches that may undermine these efforts. By providing a clear framework and practical examples, this session sets the stage for a panel discussion on maximising parental involvement to support young driver safety.

Five take outs from this session:

  • How parental involvement influences young driver behaviour

  • Evidence-based strategies that help parents support safe driving habits

  • Successful international examples of parental involvement in young driver safety

  • Identifying actions that may unintentionally impact safe driving habits and ways to mitigate them

  • A practical framework to help parents effectively encourage responsible driving behaviours

Dr Elizabeth Box is an accomplished transport researcher with over two decades of experience. She has an excellent track record in influencing and contributing to road safety policy outcomes at the national level. Elizabeth has a doctorate in Transport Psychology and is experienced in developing, delivering and evaluating road safety interventions.

Dr Nick Reed
Founder, Reed Mobility

Vehicle technology for the new driver

The latest technologies tend to be fitted to the newest and most expensive vehicles. However, these systems gradually filter through to more everyday cars and ultimately onto the specification sheets of the sorts of cars that are typically bought as first cars by young drivers. In this presentation, Nick will talk about some of the history of vehicle safety regulation, the benefits and challenges of driver assistance systems and give some examples of vehicles that could be considered as first cars by young drivers and that are equipped with safety technology that could prevent tragic crashes.

Dr Nick Reed is the founder of Reed Mobility, an independent future mobility research consultancy aiming to deliver transport systems that are safe, clean, efficient, ethical and equitable. In 2021, he was recruited to a three-year part-time role as National Highways' first ever Chief Road Safety Adviser.

Karen McDonnell - Head of Global Relations, RoSPA
& James Broun - Research Manager, RoSPA

Young drivers and drowsy driving

RoSPA and Northumbria University recently commissioned a white paper, 'A Socio-ecological Model of Drowsy Driving in the UK: Are we there yet?' We'll reflect on this report's recent findings and analyse the data through the lens of young drivers, exploring recommendations for new drivers and those who drive for work.

Karen’s work helps deliver RoSPA’s vision of more lives free from serious accidental injury by exchanging life-enhancing knowledge and skills. Her work involves key issues, such as fatigue and driving risk, and she contributes to Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030.

James joined RoSPA last year and has experience in policy, research, campaigns, and public affairs, with a prior focus on housing, manufacturing, and the economy. At RoSPA, James is responsible for researching accidental injuries, developing policy solutions, supporting public affairs work, and running policy campaigns.

Loveday Ryder - Chief Executive, DVSA

Industry update

Opening the event, Loveday Ryder will deliver an industry-wide update. Since becoming DVSA Chief Executive in 2021, Loveday has focused on improving road safety and raising driving and vehicle standards. With a wealth of experience in organisational change, she will outline key priorities and how the DVSA is working to protect young drivers.

Loveday Ryder became the Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) in January 2021. She was previously in the Ministry of Justice, where she successfully served in a number of senior roles in organisation design, change management and programme delivery.

Before joining the Civil Service in 2006, Loveday worked within a specialist management consultancy delivering business change, performance improvement, and IT programmes in both the public and private sector.

Laura Butterfield - Head of Marketing, Department for Transport

THINK! behaviour change campaign

A presentation on the latest audience insight and approach for THINK!, the government’s flagship road safety campaign.  Highlighting recent successes in the young driver space, and plans for the year ahead and opportunities for collaboration.

Five take outs form this session:

  • An understanding of the young driver audience and current attitudes

  • How THINK! is approaching behaviour change among young drivers

  • Campaign innovations and successes

  • What national activity is planned over the next year

  • How we can work together in the communications space

Laura is the Head of Marketing at the Department of Transport, leading on paid-for behaviour change campaigns including THINK!.  She has a background in government communications, previously leading campaigns at the Home Office.  This includes experience changing behaviours with a youth audience, on complex issues such as knife crime and violence against women and girls.