The strategy sets two national targets for the United Kingdom, using a 2022–2024 baseline:
- 65% reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured on roads by 2035; and
- 70% reduction in the number of children under the age of 16 killed or seriously injured on roads by 2035
Devolved powers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will take forward their own strategies alongside the national framework.
How does the UK Government plan to achieve this? The strategy adopts the safe system approach and is built around four key themes: supporting road users; technology, innovation and data for safer vehicles and post-collision care; ensuring infrastructure is safe; and robust enforcement to protect all road users. Each theme contains proposals intended to prevent road traffic collisions.
Statistics show that road traffic collisions disproportionately involve young and older drivers. This theme therefore proposes measures to ensure that drivers are competent and medically fit to drive, through education and medical testing. The key proposals include:
- Minimum learning period for learner drivers: The Government will consult on the introduction of a mandatory learning period of three or six months before a learner can take a driving test. The aim is to ensure that all learners have gained supervised experience in varied driving conditions rather than drivers rushing to pass their test. Practical details, including whether formal logging of lessons will be required, remain under consideration.
- Mandatory eyesight testing for drivers aged 70 and over: The strategy proposes mandatory eyesight checks for drivers over 70 and will explore cognitive testing for older drivers. It recognises that our vision deteriorates and our reaction time becomes slower as we get older. This proposal aims to strike a balance between reducing road traffic collisions, while ensuring individuals still have their mobility and independence.
Other measures include consultations on a lower blood alcohol limit for novice drivers, reforms to motorcycle training and licensing, and a National Work-Related Road Safety Charter for employers.
Recent studies show that human error contributes to approximately nine in ten road traffic collisions. This theme emphasises the use of vehicle safety technology and better use of data to prevent collisions.
The Government plans to consult on mandating the fitting of 18 safety technologies for certain vehicle categories, including blind spot information, drowsiness and attention warning, emergency braking and emergency lane keeping. These technologies help to prevent collisions by minimising and eliminating human error.
The Government also vows to establish a Road Safety Investigation Branch (RSIB) to analyse collision data, identify trends and make safety recommendations. Better sharing of police collision data and healthcare data is also being prioritised. The sharing of data will allow problem locations, vehicle faults and other preventable causes to be identified, meaning local authorities can act accordingly to prevent similar collisions from occurring in the future.
Road design and speed management are key to reducing road traffic collisions. The strategy pledges to publish updated guidance to help local authorities set appropriate speed limits and to advise on the use of speed cameras. It also promises to publish an updated 'Manual for Streets' which emphasises the importance of street layouts which have the safety of pedestrians and cyclists at the forefront.
With people being six times more likely to be killed or seriously injured on rural roads compared to motorways, rural roads are a key focus of this theme. The strategy proposes to sub-categorise rural roads and identify areas where resources will have the greatest impact.
In 2024, motorcyclists made up 20% of all people killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions, and the strategy is therefore committed to reducing this figure. Following a successful trial in the West Highlands of Scotland, the PRIME initiative, which educates motorcyclists on how to navigate sharp bends more safely, is to be rolled out across the country.
Research has shown that effective enforcement deters dangerous driving behaviour and reduces casualties on our roads. The strategy provides for a stricter stance on offences that put other road users at risk. The Government proposes to consult on:
- Penalties and mandatory training for those driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Powers to suspend driving licences where drivers are suspected of driving under the influence or are under investigation for serious motor offences resulting in serious injury or fatalities pending court outcomes.
- Penalty points for failure to wear a seatbelt and for drivers whose child passengers are not wearing a seatbelt.
- Stricter consequences for failing to report a road traffic collision, driving without a licence, insurance or valid MOT.
Conclusion
The Road Safety Strategy sets ambitious targets and a broad range of proposals to reduce casualties on the UK's roads. If implemented effectively, it could make everyday journeys safer for all road users. Road safety charity Brake has welcomed the strategy while urging the Government to be "brave and bold" in its implementation. The upcoming consultations will shape how these proposals are taken forward and will be crucial in determining whether the Government meets its ambitious 2035 targets.
