Awards were presented by Rt. Hon. Seema Malhotra MP and Traffic Commissioner Sarah Bell

Govt Recognition – DVSA Cardiopulmonary

‘Thirty thousand people a year have a heart incident outside of a hospital environment’

Govt dept-body recognition in transport
Vision to save lives on the roads

Engaging the Drivers to deliver cardiology

DVSA bring Cardiology to driver theory test to save lives

Saving lives on the road with change to theory test

DVSA Bob Hannigan keynote on driver theory test change for cardiopulmonary support

Masterclass keynote by DVSA Bob Hannigan at IOC Round Table. CPR in driving test theory test by Bob Hannigan. ‘Thirty thousand people a year have a heart incident every year outside of a hospital environment. Bob challenged the fellows with operational cpr questions, the answers were strong and correct. Link for first aid updates in Highway code.’

Driver Training to save lives added to theory test

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is adding questions about Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and how to use defibrillators (AED) into the official learning materials for car and motorcycle theory tests

• The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is adding questions about Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and how to use defibrillators (AED) into the official learning materials for car and motorcycle theory tests
• This is part of a partnership working with leading national programmes from across the UK to raise awareness of these life-saving skills
• All road users are being encouraged to learn basic CPR skills and know how to use a defibrillator in an emergency
DVSA is encouraging learner drivers to learn life-saving skills in a move that could reduce strain on the NHS, boost cardiac arrest survival rates and increase the number of people with vital emergency skills. Questions on basic CPR and defibrillator use will be added to the car and motorcycle theory test in early 2026. Learners are encouraged to prepare by picking these skills up early. Drivers are often first on the scene when someone suffers a cardiac arrest. Adding this information into the official learning materials means that the 2.4 million learner drivers who take their theory test each year will have a better understanding of the skills to use in an emergency.

This is part of a partnership with DVSA and leading national programmes including the Save a Life programmes in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and Resuscitation Council UK, the leading healthcare charity responsible for setting CPR guidelines. The initiative also supports the UK Government's Plan for Change commitment to build an NHS fit for the future by reducing preventable deaths and easing pressure on emergency services.

Safety at roadside is a key unit of the Express manager degree apprenticeship and taught as a University unit for managers dealing with fleet to help drivers save lives. The Degree hosted at UWL is levy paid and next starts begging in Sept and then Feb for the 2026 new year.
Safer roads, safer lives - In the UK, over 40,000 people suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year, with fewer than 1 in 10 surviving - but if CPR is given and a defibrillator used within 3-5 minutes of collapse, survival rates could be as high as 70%.

DVSA Chief Driving Examiner, Mark Winn said: “Part of being a safe and responsible driver is knowing what to do in an emergency – how to step in and make a real, life-saving difference. “Learning CPR and how to use a defibrillator is a very simple skill and adding this into the official learning resource is a great way for DVSA to support the drive to raise awareness.”

Official learning materials have already been updated to give learner drivers time to familiarise themselves with the new content. This includes The Official DVSA Guide to Driving – the essential skills and The Official DVSA Guide to the Theory Test for Car Drivers, with updates to motorcycle publications to follow.

The driving theory test is taken by learner drivers before they can book their practical driving test. The test has 2 parts that are booked and taken together:
• multiple-choice questions - 50 questions covering topics from road signs and traffic laws to vehicle safety, hazard awareness and first aid. Learners must get at least 43 out of 50 right to pass this section
• hazard perception - a video test about identifying developing hazards on the road
You must pass both parts to pass the overall test.
Over 2 million theory tests are taken each year, with a pass rate of 45% between April 2023 and March 2024.This means that in preparing for their test and studying for the enhanced questions, hundreds of thousands of people annually will gain knowledge of life-saving skills.
Common scenarios where drivers might need CPR skills include:
• road traffic incidents - following vehicle collisions, people may suffer cardiac arrest due to trauma, shock, or underlying medical conditions made worse by the stress of an incident
• roadside emergencies - drivers can encounter people who have collapsed at bus stops, service stations, or while walking along roads - these may include joggers suffering sudden cardiac arrest, elderly pedestrians, or people with underlying heart conditions who collapse in public spaces
• service area incidents - at motorway services, petrol stations, and car parks, drivers witness medical emergencies where their intervention could save lives before professional help arrives breakdowns - when assisting someone with a broken-down vehicle, drivers may encounter people experiencing medical emergencies, particularly older drivers or those with pre-existing health conditions who become distressed during vehicle problems.
These images of CPR questions as they would appear on a theory test are available for use in a news story with credit given to DVSA:

David Jamieson Road Safety Award

2 winners, SHIFT & Whistl.

SHIFT (Structured Health Intervention for Transport ) programme.

A driver-focused practical health programme

HGV drivers face some of the worst health outcomes of any profession, with long hours, sedentary work, and limited access to wellness services.

This programe recognised this gap and, in collaboration with the Leicester Diabetes Centre (NHS) , co-designed SHIFT with input from drivers, unions, and industry leaders.

The programme was rigorously tested in an NIHR-funded cluster RCT,

It was shown to significantly improve physical activity levels, reduce sitting time, and support long-term healthy lifestyle change particularly among drivers living with obesity.

Leicester Diabetes Centre (NHS) in conjunction with Loughborough University

Professor Stacey Clemes

Professor Stacy Clemes is an exceptional academic whose pioneering work has delivered transformative impact in the courier and logistics sector through the development and rollout of the SHIFT (Structured Health Intervention For Transport ) programme. Over the past decade, Stacy has led a research and implementation journey that has not only improved the health of thousands of HGV drivers but is now shaping best practice in professional driver training and occupational health.

What sets Stacy apart is her unwavering commitment to real-world application. Working alongside major logistics companies including Wincanton and DHL, she translated SHIFT into a DVSA-accredited Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) module. To date, over 6,500 drivers have engaged with the programme, with 77% reporting intentions to change their behaviour. The initiative has improved morale, job satisfaction, and raised health awareness across Wincanton's entire driving workforce.

One Wincanton driver commented:

“Two of the guys at my site have now broken the 2-stone weight loss point, which is amazing — and others are being far more active and getting great results. Including myself — I’ve started running again and lost 10 lbs. This in itself proves what an excellent programme SHIFT is!”

Stacy leads with integrity, humility, and a team-first ethos. She is widely respected not only for her research but also for her inclusive leadership style, fostering collaboration across academia, industry, and the NHS. She is a mentor, role model, and advocate for improving the lives of those often overlooked in public health.

By bringing world-class research into the heart of the courier sector, Stacy is redefining occupational health and delivering national, measurable impact. Her contribution is not just academic — it is human, far-reaching, and worthy of national recognition.

Whistl

Road Safety Award double-year recognition
A nomination building on a robust platform win from last year

School road safety visits near depots across the country
Community engagement installing early awareness of road safety
The team developed a comprehensive 12-month toolbox talk plan
hydration and healthier habits for driver programme.

2024, achieved a 34% reduction in incidents compared to the previous year.

In 2025, the team have observed a reduction in the severity of the incidents

Ongoing commitment to road safety.
Road Safety Award for the second year running
Whistl Driver Training Team for the

Mark Broad nominates the Whistl Driver Training Team for the Road Safety Award for the second year running, due to their ongoing commitment to road safety.

Community Engagement and Educational Outreach - During the Brake Road Safety Week in November 2024, the Whistl Driver Training team visited several schools near our depots across the country. The driver trainers targeted primary school children, aiming to instil early awareness of road safety principles. The sessions included engaging toolbox talks on the Highway Code and the dangers associated with distracted walking, which is a common hazard among young children. To enhance experiential learning, the team show cased a range of vehicles, including a 44-tonne HGV, a Whistl van, and an electric car, allowing children to explore and understand different vehicle types firsthand. The schools appreciated the interactive experience with Whistl and valued the time and effort dedicated to promoting road safety among younger generations. The visits were so popular that they will be repeating this initiative this year during Brake Road Safety Week.

Road Safety Fundraiser - Our Bedford driver trainer, Steve Gelling, undertook a skydiving challenge, successfully raising £1,076 for Brake, the leading road safety charity. This effort exemplifies the team’s dedication to supporting broader safety initiatives beyond their immediate operational responsibilities.

Proactive Safety Programs and Driver Well-being - The team developed a comprehensive 12-month toolbox talk plan focusing on fostering a safety-first culture. A key focus in August 2025 was addressing driver fatigue, a critical factor in road incidents. To support this, Whistl invested in stainless steel water bottles for all drivers, encouraging continuous hydration and healthier habits. This initiative aims to reduce fatigue-related incidents and promote overall driver well-being.

Achievements in Incident Reduction and Continuous Improvement - The Driver Training team has prioritised ongoing continuous improvement to minimise incident rates. In 2024, they achieved a 34% reduction in incidents compared to the previous year. However, in 2025, we have observed a reduction in the severity of the incidents, along with a continued reduction, particularly in Bristol. The team’s persistent efforts and data-driven approach have been instrumental in advancing road safety standards within Whistl.

Through their innovative programs, community engagement, and unwavering commitment to safety, the Driver Training Team exemplifies leadership in road safety. Their work not only benefits Whistl’s drivers but also contributes positively to the wider community, making them highly deserving of this recognition.