Preparing young drivers for independent driving is essential for reducing road casualties. DriveFit was originally developed as an interactive programme to help pre-drivers develop the cognitive, social, and emotional skills needed for safe driving. Rooted in behavioural science, it focused on supporting decision-making and risk management to better prepare young people for real-world driving situations. 

Building on its success, DriveFit 2.0 expands its reach through a teacher-led delivery model, making it more accessible and scalable to schools and colleges while maintaining its engaging, evidence-based approach.

This presentation will outline how DriveFit 2.0 has been adapted to meet the needs of educators while preserving its behavioural science foundations. The revised intervention includes structured lesson plans, classroom activities, and scenario-based learning to equip students with essential driving-related cognitive skills.

A controlled evaluation, funded by the Road Safety Trust and supported by Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, is currently underway with four Surrey schools/colleges. The final results, expected in Summer 2025, will outline its impact on students' road safety knowledge, attitudes, and behavioural intentions.

Key insights from this study will inform best practice for integrating pre-driver education into school-based delivery. This session will explore study findings, practical implementation strategies, and the role of teacher-led interventions in strengthening pre-driver safety.

Dr Elizabeth Box, Research Director, RAC Foundation

Dr Elizabeth Box is a transport researcher, commissioner, and consultant with over two decades of experience in road safety, behavioural science, and transport policy. She has a strong track record of influencing national policy and delivering evidence-based interventions to improve road safety.

Elizabeth is the Research Director at the RAC Foundation, an independent charity researching road user issues, and the Director of ECM Research Solutions, a consultancy dedicated to developing and evaluating effective, research-driven road safety interventions. She is also a Behavioural Science Consultant at Co-Pilot, where she is involved in developing innovative, evidence-based road safety education.

Elizabeth holds a PhD in Transport Psychology and serves as an advisor to several road safety industry and government project boards. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), a technical champion for the organisation, and a judge for CIHT’s annual Road Safety Award. She also judges the Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards, which recognises outstanding contributions to global road safety.