As a parent or guardian, your role in your young person’s driving journey doesn’t stop when they pass their test. As they begin driving independently, they will encounter new situations, responsibilities and risks, and parents and guardians can continue to provide valuable support. This free webinar will help you understand some of the challenges newly qualified drivers face and explore practical ways to build experience gradually, approach higher-risk situations, have positive conversations about driving and support increasing independence without creating unnecessary conflict.
You can now access the event recording below.
Meet the Speakers
Dr Jessica Hafetz – University of Edinburgh 7:55-21:20
Dr Hafetz an internationally recognized research psychologist and academic specializing in paediatric injury prevention, developmental psychology, and young driver road safety. She currently serves as a Lecturer of Applied Psychology and Public Health at the University of Edinburgh, where she leads the Child and Adolescent Health Lab (CHAD). Her presentation covers The Evidence, Setting the Scene & Introduction to Strategies.
Rebecca Morris – Protect Young Drivers 23:16-35:36
Rebecca Morris is a road safety communications and engagement specialist and founder of Protect Young Drivers. Drawing on both her professional expertise and personal experience as a parent, she works to raise awareness of the risks faced by young and newly qualified drivers. Her presentation explores the highest-risk situations encountered during the first year of independent driving.
Stewart Lochrie – ADINJC 36:55-48:15
Stewart Lochrie is chairman of the Approved Driving Instructors National Joint Council (ADINJC), one of the UK’s professional bodies representing driving instructors and driver training specialists. During the webinar, he explored how parents can continue to play a positive role after the driving test by acting as “safety coaches”. His Q and A session focused on practical communication techniques that help families encourage reflection, build trust, set appropriate expectations and support young drivers’ growing independence without creating conflict. Practical methods for influencing behaviour through conversation rather than confrontation.
Daniel Ward – Acorn Group 49:18-1:01:10
Head of Telematics the Acorn Group and trustee of The Bobby Colleran Trust, Daniel explained how telematics technology can be used as a safeguarding and coaching tool rather than simply a monitoring device. During the webinar he discusses how driving data can identify driving patterns, support constructive conversations, celebrate positive behaviours and help young drivers gradually build experience and independence.
Panel Discussion and Audience Q&A 1:01:10
The webinar concluded with an interactive panel discussion led by host Edward Seaman, bringing together all speakers to answer questions submitted by parents and carers. The discussion focused on real-world challenges faced by families as young people transition to independent driving and provided practical advice drawn from the expertise of the panel
