The Road Ahead with The AA

Young drivers make up just 6% of licence holders, but account for 19% of car driver fatalities. So what can be done to make our roads safer for young and newly qualified drivers?

 

In episode two of The Road Ahead with The AA, host Jack Cousens, The AA’s Head of Roads Policy, is joined by Dr Shaun Helman, Chief Scientist of Behaviour at TRL, and Lorna Lee, AA Charitable Trust trustee and The AA’s Campaigns Manager.

 

They explore why young and inexperienced drivers face a greater risk on the road, the impact of carrying young passengers, and whether graduated driver licensing could help save lives.

 

We also hear the moving story of Caitlin Huddleston, who was killed aged 18 while travelling as a passenger with a newly qualified driver, from her mum and road safety campaigner Sharron Huddleston.

 

Northern Ireland Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins MLA explains the introduction of graduated driver licensing in Northern Ireland, while Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander MP sets out why the UK Government has stopped short of introducing restrictions on young drivers carrying passengers.

 

 

The panel also discusses seatbelt use, minimum learning periods, road safety education and what needs to change to reduce the number of young people killed and seriously injured on Britain’s roads.

The Road Ahead with The AA brings together experts and industry voices every month to take a deeper look at the issues shaping driving today and in the future.

 

Got a question or an idea for a future episode? Email us at theroadahead@theaa.com.

 

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction: Why are young drivers at greater risk?
01:23 Why youth and inexperience matter
02:27 The risk of carrying young passengers
04:34 Sharron Huddleston remembers her daughter Caitlin
07:27 The crash that killed Caitlin
12:14 Could graduated driver licensing save lives?
14:10 What does the evidence tell us about GDL?
16:25 Northern Ireland introduces graduated driver licensing
20:12 What can the rest of the UK learn from Northern Ireland?
21:23 Passenger restrictions and gaining more driving experience
24:08 Should learners have a 12-month minimum learning period?
26:20 Young drivers and seatbelt safety
28:05 The role of road safety education
29:51 What is missing from the Government’s road safety strategy?
30:38 Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander MP on graduated licensing
33:26 Can the Government be persuaded to go further?
35:07 Responsible drivers versus inexperienced drivers
38:00 What needs to change in the next three years?
39:23 Closing thoughts and what’s coming next

 

The Road Ahead with The AA explores the issues shaping the future of driving, mobility and road safety, bringing together experts, campaigners, policymakers and people with lived experience.

Introducing The Road Ahead with The AA, a brand-new monthly podcast exploring the motoring issues that matter to drivers.

For our first episode, host Jack Cousens, AA Head of Roads Policy, is joined by Jamie Muir from AA Cars and Charlie Cook, Founder and CEO of Rightcharge, to talk electric cars.

Are EVs really practical for everyday driving? How far can you travel on a charge? Is charging at home really that much cheaper? And what are your options if you don’t have a driveway?

Jamie and Charlie discuss everything from used EV prices and battery life to public charging, range anxiety and what it’s actually like to live with an electric car.

Plus, they explain why one of the best ways to decide whether an EV is right for you might simply be to get behind the wheel and try one.

The Road Ahead with The AA brings together experts and industry voices every month to take a deeper look at the issues shaping driving today and in the future.

Got a question or an idea for a future episode? Email us at theroadahead@theaa.com.

 

Chapters:

1:45 – Why EVs should be considered

3:00 – Best cars to consider

5:45 – Are used EVs becoming cheaper?

7:15 – How much does it cost to charge an EV?

8:45 – Home charging vs public charging

10:00 – Can you own an EV without a driveway?

12:20 – What to consider before buying an EV

13:55 – Would EV drivers go back to petrol or diesel?

15:10 – Salary sacrifice and buying an EV

16:00 – How long do EV batteries last?

18:25 – The future of the EV transition

20:15 – What could help more drivers switch to EVs?

22:00 – Pay-per-mile charges for electric cars

24:00 – Should your next car be an EV?

Coming soon - The Road Ahead with The AA

 

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