In this presentation, Professor John Beckford explores lessons learned from The Pathfinder Initiative, a structured and practical 5 day pre-licence novice driver development programme that synthesises the complex conversation between technical skill and risk reducing driving by accelerating the development of the behavioural, attitudinal and observational capabilities necessary to be #SafeAt17.

Pathfinder rests on a tripartheid structure embracing the young driver, a parent or other appropriate adult and appropriately skilled volunteer instructors. Post-participation surveys since 2006, validated by Liverpool John Moores University, Manchester Business School and Loughborough University, show a reduction in 1st year accident rates from 1 in 5 (DfT) to 1 in 17 (2014 and 2018 Surveys)

Developed by The Under 17 Car Club Charitable Trust in 2008 and delivered in multiple locations with financial and practical support from Gloucestershire PCC and Police, West Mercia PCC and Police and Safer Roads Humber, Pathfinder is the only young driver programme formally accredited by IAMRoadsmart.

Professor John Beckford, Trustee, The Under 17 Car Club Charitable Trust & Co-designer of the Pathfinder Initiative

John Beckford is a Trustee of The Under 17 Car Club Charitable Trust and co-designer of the Pathfinder Initiative with Trust Chair, Paul Silverwood.

A noted speaker, John is a researcher, educator and author of Intelligent Organisation (Routledge, 2020), Intelligent Nation (Routledge, 2021) and Quality (Routledge, 2017) and holds professorships at University College London and Loughborough University.