UK Government Unveils Ambitious Road Safety Strategy

On January 7, 2026, the UK government announced its first Road Safety Strategy in over a decade, aiming to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries by 65% by 2035, with a specific target of a 70% reduction for children under 16. The strategy includes a range of measures such as lowering the drink-drive limit, enhancing training for young drivers, and implementing mandatory eye tests for drivers over 70. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander emphasized the urgency of the initiative, stating, “Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy that devastates families and communities.”

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The proposed changes include a consultation on reducing the drink-drive limit in England and Wales from 35 micrograms to 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath, aligning it with Scotland's regulations. Additionally, convicted drink-driving offenders may be required to use alcohol interlock devices, which prevent a vehicle from starting if the driver fails a breath test. The strategy also aims to double fines for uninsured drivers and introduce penalty points for not wearing seatbelts.

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A significant aspect of the strategy is the mandate for 18 new vehicle safety technologies, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), which automatically slows a vehicle to prevent collisions. This initiative is particularly poignant as it is named “Dev’s Law” in memory of eight-year-old Dev Naran, who tragically died in a motorway collision in 2018. His mother, Meera Naran, has been a vocal advocate for road safety reforms, highlighting the potential life-saving benefits of such technologies.

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Naran stated, “Had the lorry involved had autonomous braking, that collision could potentially have been avoided completely.” Her campaign has focused on ensuring that safety technologies become mandatory in new vehicles, reflecting a broader commitment to enhancing road safety.

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Motoring organizations have largely welcomed the government’s proposals. Edmund King, president of the AA, described the strategy as “a positively radical reframing of road safety which is long overdue.” Nicholas Lyes from the road safety charity IAM RoadSmart noted that the strategy addresses a “lost decade” in road safety improvements.

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However, some critics argue that while the strategy is a step in the right direction, it must quickly evolve into concrete actions to ensure its effectiveness. Rod Dennis, a spokesperson for the RAC, remarked, “What we need now is for it to quickly evolve into a set of concrete actions that make the roads safer for everyone.”

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The government plans to establish a new Road Safety Board, chaired by the Minister for Local Transport, to oversee the implementation of the strategy. Local transport minister Lilian Greenwood stated, “Our vision with this ambitious Road Safety Strategy is clear: to ensure that people can travel safely on our roads however they choose.”

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As the strategy unfolds, it remains to be seen how effectively these measures will be implemented and whether they will lead to the desired reductions in road casualties.

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• “Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy that devastates families and communities.” — Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport

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• “She said: “Had the lorry involved had autonomous braking, that collision could potentially have been avoided completely and Dev could have walked out and come home to me that night.” — Meera Naran, Road Safety Campaigner

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• “What we need now is for it to quickly evolve into a set of concrete actions that make the roads safer for everyone.” — Rod Dennis, RAC Road Safety Spokesperson

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