The government has announced its first road safety strategy in over a decade, with a plan to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by 65% by 2035

• new consultations on minimum learning period for learner drivers, eye tests for older drivers and lowering the alcohol limit for driving to help prevent causes of collisions

• the strategy will help save thousands of lives and deliver on the government’s commitment to growth, safer communities and easing pressure on the NHS

Approximately four people die on Britain's roads every day, with thousands more seriously injured each year, but through targeted action on speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seat belts, and mobile phone use, thousands of these tragedies can be prevented.

DRINK DRIVING:

The Government will consult on lowering the drink drive limit in England and Wales, which has remained unchanged since 1967 and is currently the highest in Europe.

In 2023, one in six road fatalities involved drink driving, but a consultation will explore the use of preventative technology, such as alcohol interlock devices, and new powers to suspend driving licences for those suspected of drink or drug driving offences.

This could mean that, in future, some drink drive offenders might be required to have one of these devices fitted to their vehicle as a condition of being allowed to drive again.

INEXPERIENCED DRIVERS:

Inexperience behind the wheel is costing lives. Drivers aged 17-24 represent just 6% of licence holders but are involved in 24% of fatal and serious collisions. To address this, the Government will consult on introducing a 3 or 6 month minimum learning period, giving learner drivers more time to develop their skills in varied conditions such as night driving, adverse weather, and heavy traffic.

OLDER DRIVERS:

With the number of older drivers continuing to rise as Britain's population ages, a consultation on mandatory eyesight testing for those over 70 will be launched, while options for cognitive testing will also be developed to protect all road users.

ILLEGAL NUMBER PLATES:

New measures will also target the growing problem of illegal number plates, including 'ghost' plates designed to fool camera systems, while also cracking down on uninsured drivers and vehicles without a valid MoT.

Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, 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."

A new Road Safety Board, chaired by the Minister for Local Transport, will oversee delivery of the strategy, supported by an Expert Advisory Panel drawing membership from local authorities, emergency services, active travel groups, and road safety organisations.

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS:

Vulnerable road users remain a key focus. Motorcyclists account for just 1% of motor vehicle traffic but 21% of road deaths, while children from the most deprived neighbourhoods face four times the pedestrian casualty rate of those in the least deprived areas. To address these disparities, the strategy includes consulting on reforms to motorcycle training, testing and licensing; and supporting trials to improve motorcycle safety on rural roads.

An estimated one in three road traffic fatalities involve someone driving or riding for work, prompting the launch of a National Work-Related Road Safety Charter pilot. This will establish a national standard for employers requiring people to drive or ride for work, covering HGVs, vans, cars, motorcycles, e-cycles and cycles. It aims to help businesses in both the public and private sectors reduce work-related road risk by promoting good practice, accountability, and compliance with existing legislation.

WORKING TOGETHER:

The success of this strategy depends on strong partnerships between government, local authorities, businesses, road safety professionals, emergency services, and the public working together to ensure that every journey starts and ends safely.

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