The Department for Transport has published a well over-due new Road Safety Strategy in January 2026 aimed at reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads each year.
To reiterate MASS’ (Motor Accident Solicitors Society) comment, the strategy will be welcomed by many, with a proposal to improve young drivers, protect older road users, tackle uninsured drivers and lower the drink-drive limit.
The department for transport’s (DfT) strategy
The Department for Transport’s overarching target is to see a 65% reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured by 2035, with 2022-2024 being a baseline. Included in this is a 70% reduction in the number of children (under 16) killed or seriously injured. To achieve this, the strategy focuses on four key ‘themes’:
- Supporting road users;
- Safer vehicles and post-collision care;
- Safer Infrastructure; and
- Robust enforcement to protect all road users.
In 2024, every 18 minutes, someone was killed or seriously injured on the roads. Not only does this have a huge impact on someone’s family, but the collisions cost the ambulance services an estimated £3.1bn, the police £264m and £6.9bn in lost outputs. The DfT has stated there are a “fatal four” factors for these collisions:
- Speeding;
- Drink/drug driving;
- Not wearing a seatbelt;
- Mobile phone use.
Data from the DfT indicates that young male drivers (aged 17–24) and older drivers are disproportionately represented in road traffic collisions, while pedestrians, motorcyclists, and children remain among the most vulnerable road users affected.
Training for young drivers
The government is consulting on introducing a three or six-month minimum learning period for learner drivers. This will include:
- A minimum amount of time to be spent learning;
- A minimum number of learning hours;
- A mandated learning syllabus;
- How this learning is to be conducted.
This aims to ensure all drivers develop their skills and gain experience in varied conditions: driving at night, in adverse weather and heavy traffic.
The government has not yet mentioned the proposal of a Graduated Driving Licence Scheme as campaigned by RoadPeace. This campaign seeks to minimise the risk of novice drivers getting into collisions. The GDL ensures young drivers cannot carry peer-age friends as passengers for a limited time after passing their test. In this period, young drivers can only drive solo or with an older, experienced driver to gain further experience.
In respect of motorcyclists, the government wants to encourage more riders to progress to a full licence, progress beyond the Compulsory Basic Training and thus increase skills, confidence and safety.
Changes for older drivers
One of the other main points, and most anticipated, is regarding age-related changes. With declining vision, cognitive function and increased frailty, the government has proposed some changes for drivers over the age of 70. These will include a mandatory eyesight test and cognitive testing.
The government will also continue their engagement with regulatory bodies to highlight the importance of healthcare professions to notify the DVLA if their patient is unwilling or unable to notify any changes to their ability to drive.
New Vehicles and their Data
In 9 out of 10 collisions, human error is a contributory factor. This is why the government has proposed that all new vehicles (under a specific vehicle category) be fitted with 18 new safety technologies. These safety technologies include emergency braking, blind spot information, advanced distraction warning and drowsiness and attention warnings, to name a few.
Alongside this, all vehicles are “connected” – they can communicate with other vehicles, infrastructure and networks. The government aims to join the Data for Road Safety, whereby traffic data can be exchanged through vehicle manufacturers, local and regional road operators and emergency services to improve future road safety delivery.
Robust Enforcement
The Road Traffic Act 1988 and Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 are going to be reviewed, ensuring they are up to date and the penalties are appropriate. The government aims to pinpoint offences which correspond to the greatest impact upon those killed or seriously injured, by:
- Lowering the drink drive limit, including an even lower limit for novice drivers.
- Reviewing penalties and mandatory training for drink/drug driving, including consulting on the use of alcohol interlock devices;
- Bringing in powers to suspend driving licences for
- (1) those suspected of committing a drink/drug driving offence until attendance at Court, a guilty plea or bailed pending forensic analysis
- (2) those under investigation for the most serious offences resulting in a fatality or serious injury;
- Exploring alternative methods for drug driving evidence collection and processing;
- Penalty points for failure to wear a seatbelt, and additional penalty points for drivers who do not ensure child passengers are wearing a seatbelt;
- Tougher action for those who fail to stop and report collisions
- Tougher action for those who choose to drive unlicenced or without insurance or with no MOT;
- Working with the DVLA, DVSA and police to review the current standard for registration plates, giving the DVLA more powers to carry out robust checks on numberplate suppliers;
- Introducing tougher penalties for driving a vehicle with illegal plates, including penalty points and vehicle seizure.
What this means
As stated by MASS, ‘if this strategy is implemented with urgency and backed by a strong partnership, it has the potential to save thousands of lives and prevent thousands of injuries.’
How can we help?
Holly-Louise Batey is a Trainee Solicitor in our Personal Injury team, which is ranked in Tier One by the independently research publication, The Legal 500.
If you have any questions in relation to the topics discussed in this article, please contact Holly or another member of the team in Derby, Leicester, or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.
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