After a long hiatus, Driving Instructors and Vision Zero returns, re-framed, re-focused, and rebuilt as a collaboration.

In this relaunch episode, The Instructor Podcast's Terry Cook is joined by road safety professional and former police advanced driver Olly Tayler to explain why the podcast has evolved from Driving Instructors to Vision Zero into Driving Instructors and Vision Zero, and why that word change matters.

This is an honest, wide-ranging conversation about:

1. Why driving instructors are still the most underused road safety professionals
2. how habits, complacency, and “I’ll get away with it” thinking really form
3. the limits of enforcement and the power of education and coaching
4. reading the road, seeing risk early, and planning for “what if?”
5. what the new Road Safety Strategy gets right — and what it misses
6. graduated licensing, minimum learning periods, and post-test risk
7. why drug driving is now the bigger blind spot than drink driving
8. and why real culture change takes years, not press releases

The episode also introduces the idea of a wider monthly panel, a group of road safety professionals and instructor voices coming together to bridge the gap between policy, practice, and the real world.

This podcast isn’t about blame.

It’s about responsibility.

We’re doing our bit for road safety.

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The podcast episode focuses on the role of driving instructors in fostering safer driving practices. Terry engages in a conversation with Olly Tayler, a former traffic officer, to explore the challenges of motorway driving and the misconceptions surrounding it.

They discuss the importance of proper observation and maintaining a safe distance between vehicles to prevent accidents. Additionally, they highlight the Honest Truth initiative, which aims to equip new drivers with essential life skills alongside their driving training. Throughout the episode, Ollie shares insights from his extensive experience in traffic policing, stressing the need for heightened awareness and responsibility among all road users.

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Takeaways:

• Driving instructors can play a crucial role in shaping safer driving behaviours among new drivers.
• The podcast emphasizes the importance of understanding motorway driving beyond the misconception it's easy.
• Olly Tayler shares insights from his extensive experience as a traffic officer on motorways.
• Effective observation techniques, including scanning far ahead, are vital for motorway safety.
• The Honest Truth initiative aims to instil essential life skills in new drivers beyond just passing the test.

Driving Instructors Division Zero addresses the pressing issue of road safety in the UK, where 1624 individuals lost their lives on the roads in 2023, with a significant portion not wearing seat belts.

Host Terry speaks with Dr. Liz Box from the RAC Foundation about the new graduated driving license proposal, which aims to implement a minimum six-month learning period for new drivers and restrict passengers under the age of 20 for the first six months after passing their test. The discussion highlights the importance of these measures in reducing fatalities and injuries among young drivers, who are statistically at higher risk.

Additionally, Denise Rowe from the HELP Appeal joins the conversation to discuss the critical role of helicopter emergency landing pads in trauma care, emphasizing the need for public support in funding these life-saving installations.

The episode concludes with Olly Tayler offering insights on how driving instructors can leverage real-world scenarios to teach students about vulnerable road users, fostering a culture of safety and awareness on the roads.

Takeaways:

• In 2023, there were 1624 fatalities on UK roads, with a significant percentage being unbelted.
• A graduated driving license proposal aims to improve road safety for young drivers.
• The proposed six-month learning period emphasizes experience and gradual exposure to driving.
• Research indicates peer passengers can negatively influence young drivers' risk-taking behaviour.
• The importance of parental involvement and community engagement in promoting road safety initiatives.
• The discussion on vulnerable road users highlights the responsibility of drivers to ensure safety.

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Driving Instructors to Vision Zero brings information and ideas from the road safety sector to ADIs and PDIs, to help driving instructors create even safer drivers.

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