Transport for London has launched a free road safety education programme for 16 to 18-year-olds, as a record 1,057 London schools achieve its highest travel accreditation.
TfL Navigators is aimed at helping older teenagers become safer and more considerate road users as they begin travelling more independently. The programme is available to secondary schools and colleges, with lessons covering driving, cycling and riding.
Five deaths among 16-18-year-olds in 2025
TfL said five people aged between 16 and 18 died on London’s roads in 2025. A further 187 people in the age group sustained serious injuries and 657 suffered minor injuries.
The ready-made TfL Navigators lessons use discussions, quizzes and case studies across three modules: Drive Safe, Cycle Safe and Ride Safe.
TfL said road safety education is particularly important at this stage of life, when attitudes and travel behaviours are still developing. Research cited by the transport authority indicates that younger people can be more influenced by peers and may be less aware of risk.
Analysis by road safety consultancy Agilysis for the National Police Chiefs’ Council found that more than 23,000 people were killed or seriously injured in collisions involving car drivers aged 17 to 24 across Great Britain between 2021 and 2025.
Gold-accredited schools reach record level
The TfL Travel for Life programme, delivered with London Transport Museum and London boroughs, recognises schools for reducing car use, improving safety and encouraging sustainable travel.
The number of schools reaching Gold accreditation has risen by 48 this year, taking the London total to 1,057. Gold status lasts for three years and requires schools to complete 48 activities, including balance bike workshops, educational assemblies and sustainability clubs.
Newly accredited schools include St James’ C of E Primary School in Enfield, Richard Atkins Primary School in Lambeth and Samuel Rhodes School in Islington. A further 214 schools have retained Gold status for another three years.
A school can achieve Gold accreditation by reducing car use on the school run by 6 per cent or recording at least 90 per cent of morning and afternoon journeys by sustainable transport.
Programme supports Vision Zero target
Will Norman, the Mayor of London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said the record accreditation numbers showed schools’ commitment to helping children walk, cycle and scoot, while improving road safety and air quality.
“I look forward to seeing the new TfL Navigators offer bring more young Londoners into this vital work,” he said.
Lilli Matson, TfL’s Chief Safety, Health and Environment Officer, said: “Knowing how to travel safely and sustainably is a key life skill.” She added that the new programme was designed to be “fun, thought-provoking and accessible”.
TfL said two-thirds, or 66 per cent, of primary-age children now use active travel on the school run, while car journeys are at a 10-year low.
The Travel for Life programme supports the Mayor of London’s Transport Strategy and its Vision Zero ambition to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on London’s transport network by 2041.