The Government has launched its first Road Safety Strategy in over a decade, aiming to cut the number of deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by 65% by 2035.
Announced today (Wednesday), the new strategy outlines a series of proposed measures to reduce collisions and improve safety for all road users. These include consultations on a minimum learning period for new drivers, mandatory eyesight tests for those over 70, and the possible lowering of the drink drive limit in England and Wales.
The Government says the strategy adopts a “Safe System” approach, shifting the focus from individual blame to a shared responsibility between drivers, vehicle manufacturers, and road planners. Approximately 4 people are killed on Britain’s roads each day, with thousands more seriously injured annually.
Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, has said:
“Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy that devastates families and communities. For too long, progress on road safety has stalled. This strategy marks a turning point.
“We are taking decisive action to make our roads safer for everyone, from new drivers taking their first lessons to older motorists wanting to maintain their independence. The measures we are announcing today will save thousands of lives over the coming decade.”
The wide-ranging strategy includes:
- A 3 or 6 month minimum learning period for learner drivers, helping new motorists gain more experience before taking their test
- A consultation on reducing the legal drink drive limit, unchanged since 1967 and currently the highest in Europe
- The introduction of alcohol interlock devices for drink drive offenders, allowing vehicles to start only after a passed breath test
- Mandatory eyesight checks for drivers over 70, and potential cognitive testing to support safe mobility
- Enforcement against illegal or ‘ghost’ number plates, uninsured drivers, and vehicles without valid MOTs
- Adoption of 18 vehicle safety technologies such as lane-keeping assistance and autonomous emergency braking
Local Transport Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said:
“Our vision with this ambitious Road Safety Strategy is clear: to ensure that people can travel safely on our roads however they choose.
“One of the hardest parts of my job is speaking to families who have lost loved ones on our roads and this is something we as a Government are taking action to prevent. No family should have to endure that loss, and this strategy sets out how we will work to ensure fewer do.”
The Government also plans to establish a new Road Safety Investigation Branch that will analyse collisions using linked police and healthcare data, identifying patterns and informing future prevention strategies.
Motorcyclists, young drivers, and those in deprived areas remain key focus groups. Riders make up just 1% of road traffic but 21% of fatalities. Children from disadvantaged areas face four times the pedestrian casualty rate compared to those in wealthier areas.
To address this, the strategy includes reforms to motorcycle testing and licensing, and new safety trials on rural roads.
A pilot National Work-Related Road Safety Charter will also be launched, aimed at reducing risks for those who drive or ride as part of their jobs. One in three road fatalities involves someone travelling for work.
The new strategy will be overseen by a Road Safety Board, supported by an Expert Advisory Panel made up of local authorities, emergency services, and road safety groups.
In response,, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has said:
“I have made road safety one of my top priorities since becoming Police and Crime Commissioner in 2021.
“While the government’s road safety strategy is welcome, it’s taken far too long to get to this point – ultimately costing lives and devastating families and communities in the process.
“That’s why I’ve stepped in to take decisive action to protect our road users here in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
“I’ve recently invested £500,000 in my Road Safety Fund and launched a new Safer Road initiative, investing in state-of-the-art equipment for our Roads Policing Units to tackle issues like speeding and drink and drug driving.
“I’m also spending over £600,000 on average speed cameras for one of the most dangerous stretches of road in Hampshire which has seen 61 injury incidents over the past five years, including four fatalities.
“Every serious injury or death on our roads is one too many.
“This is about protecting families, saving lives, and I’m determined to make sure every road, from busy towns to quiet villages, is safer for everyone.”
My car has autonomous lane keeping built in and it’s quit frankly dangerous
it randomly pulls me towards parked cars and cyclists because it thinks I crossed a non-existent white line in the road. It is also impossible to turn off.
I fully support technology that makes my car safer, but only if it works.
All steps to reduce the incidents will be welcome. Plus better training for kids on bikes and how to stay safe when crossing the road.
Cycle lanes are great and should be used, rather than the adjacent roads. ID for bikes and obligatory use of Hi Viz protective gear.
I support any measures to cut road deaths and injuries, but it’s not just older people with poor eyesight and cognition, surely these tests would be useful for all drivers?
The piercing white headlights that are more prevalent now, added to the height of vehicles often blinds oncoming traffic. This needs addressing as soon as possible, put that in your strategy.
I am 72year old and have my vision tested for free every 2 years and then if needed have my spectacles upgraded so I’m in favor of eye tests for over 70’s. I would like to see a mandatory extra test for under 25’s, with provision to stop a car with several under 25 year old’s,and also more stricter prosecutions for drivers that break the law, especially those under the influence of drink or drugs.
“with provision to stop a car with several under 25 year old’s”.
Why not use the brakes?
So where is the legislation/strategy for a legal duty to grit ALL roads in dangerous conditions? It wasn’t inexperience, age or alcohol which has cause the many accidents here over in the past week, was it?
The article starts with “The wide-ranging strategy includes:” blah, blah, blah
But not ONE mention of any anti DRUG DRIVING protocol.
There should be and it should read “any driver caught with drugs in their system whilst they are driving will face automatic LIFE TIME BANS”
Of course with the politician’s love of recreational drugs, it will never happen.
Sounds great, but this is the lawless
Isle of Wight where there are no “installed”
speed cameras.
Speeding is rife.
Parking on Pavements and Double Yellow Lines
is allowed.
Numpties even park on Zig Zags.
Drink and drug driving is rife too.
So I doubt anything will change unless the island authorities
get tough.
At present they couldn’t crush a grape.
How about some enforcement of driving bans. Too many people think that driving bans don’t apply to them and they can flaunt the law and carry on.
Need to fine them more heavily and crush any vehicles they use