All (road safety) roads lead to Cambridge

Around 200 road safety professionals will descend on Cambridge later this week for the second annual Road Safety GB conference (12/13 November).

The conference, which is being hosted by Road Safety GB Eastern Region and is co-sponsored by the Highways Agency and dbda, has been fully subscribed for several weeks.

The Thursday afternoon session will include a keynote presentation by Alan Kennedy, chair of Road Safety GB. Fiona Seymour, head of marketing at DfT, will deliver a THINK! campaign update, and Chris Watts, also from DfT, will give an update on the ‘Safer Way’ consultation process. Robert Gifford, executive director at PACTS, will invite delegates to look beyond 2010 at the challenges that lay ahead.

The theme for Friday morning is ‘Influencing driver behaviour’ and the keynote presentation will be delivered by Dr Fiona Fylan, reader in psychology at Leeds Metropolitan University. Following a series of presentations by road safety professionals showcasing intitatives, the session will conclude with the launch of a new piece of research commissioned by Road Safety GB Eastern Region, entitled ‘Driver education interventions – a blueprint for success’. This presentation will be delivered by Dr Julie Gandolfi from Driving Research Ltd.

The theme for the Friday afternoon is ‘vulnerable road users’. The session will comprise five brief presentations by road safety teams showcasing various initiatives targeting priimary children, year six pupils, older drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists. The session – and the conference – will close with the final keynote presentaion by Dr Lisa Dorn, reader in driver behaviour and training at the University of Cranfield.

Nick Rawlings, who has facilitated the conference on behalf of Road Safety GB Eastern Region, said: "Everything is set for what should be a very informative and enjoyable two days. Our only concern is that the venue will be full to bursting point because of the demand from delegates and exhibitors. But I guess that’s a good problem to have!"

The conference will be held at the University Arms in Cambridge city centre, Thursday 12 – Friday 13 November.

Those unable to secure a place at the conference may like to know that all of the presentations will be uploaded to the conference website on Monday 16 November (pm).

For further information contact Nick Rawlings or Sally Bartrum on 01379 650112.