Thousands of lives could be saved over the next decade after the UK Government unveiled its first Road Safety Strategy in more than ten years, setting out a major overhaul aimed at cutting deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads.
Launched on Wednesday the 7th of January, the strategy sets an ambitious target to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 65 percent by 2035, with an even stronger goal of a 70 percent reduction for children under 16.
Around four people are killed on Britain’s roads every day, with many more suffering life changing injuries, and ministers say decisive action is long overdue after a decade of stalled progress.
The strategy focuses on tackling the most common causes of serious collisions, including drink and drug driving, mobile phone use, speeding and failure to wear seatbelts, alongside improving driver training and vehicle safety.
Among the most significant proposals is a consultation on lowering the drink drive limit in England and Wales, which has remained unchanged since 1967 and is currently the highest in Europe.
Scotland already operates a significantly lower drink drive limit than England and Wales, having reduced the legal blood alcohol limit to 50mg per 100ml in 2014 under devolved powers, a move supported by road safety campaigners and medical professionals which has helped reinforce the message that drinking and driving do not mix, brought Scotland closer into line with many European countries, and demonstrated how tougher standards can be used as a preventative public safety measure rather than a reactive one.
In 2023, one in six road deaths involved drink driving, and the Government will also explore the use of preventative technology such as alcohol interlock devices, alongside new powers to suspend licences for those suspected of drink or drug driving.
This could mean that some offenders would only be allowed back on the road if their vehicle is fitted with a device that prevents it starting when alcohol is detected.
Young drivers are another key focus, with new figures showing that drivers aged 17 to 24 make up just 6 percent of licence holders but are involved in 24 percent of fatal and serious collisions.
To address this, ministers will consult on introducing a minimum learning period of three or six months, allowing learners more time to gain experience in conditions such as night driving, bad weather and heavy traffic.
As the population ages, the strategy also proposes mandatory eyesight testing for drivers over 70, alongside the development of options for cognitive testing to ensure safety for all road users.
New enforcement measures will target illegal number plates, including so called ghost plates designed to evade cameras, as well as uninsured vehicles and those without a valid MOT.
Heidi Alexander said the strategy marks a turning point.
“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 and the measures we are announcing today will save thousands of lives over the coming decade.”
Lilian Greenwood said road safety must be treated as a shared responsibility.
“One of the hardest parts of my job is speaking to families who have lost loved ones on our roads.
“No family should have to endure that loss and this strategy sets out how we will work to ensure fewer do.”
Independent campaigners have also welcomed the announcement.
Meera Naran, whose eight year old son Dev was killed in a road collision, said the strategy represents meaningful change.
“I welcome this much anticipated road safety strategy and am pleased to see measures to reduce road deaths and serious injuries.”
She also praised the commitment to new safety regulations known as Dev’s Law.
The strategy adopts the internationally recognised Safe System approach, which accepts that while human error is inevitable, deaths and serious injuries are not.
Rather than placing responsibility solely on individual drivers, it focuses on safer road design, vehicle standards, enforcement and education working together.
A new Road Safety Investigation Branch will analyse collision data from police and health services to identify patterns and prevent future tragedies.
Eighteen new vehicle safety technologies, including autonomous emergency braking and lane keeping assistance, will also become mandatory, aligning Great Britain with European standards and supporting manufacturers.
Edmund King described the approach as long overdue.
“This is a positively radical reframing of road safety which we hope will save the lives of thousands of people.”
Vulnerable road users remain central to the strategy.
Motorcyclists account for just 1 percent of traffic but 21 percent of road deaths, while children in the most deprived areas face four times the pedestrian casualty rate of those in the least deprived neighbourhoods.
The strategy includes plans to reform motorcycle training and licensing, trial safety improvements on rural roads, and introduce a National Work Related Road Safety Charter to reduce risks for people who drive or ride for work.
Delivery will be overseen by a new Road Safety Board, supported by an expert panel drawn from councils, emergency services and road safety organisations.
Ministers say the strategy’s success will depend on cooperation between government, local authorities, businesses and the public to ensure every journey starts and ends safely.
