New Road Safety Strategy to Cut Fatalities and Improve Safety for All Road Users

Every day in Great Britain, around four people lose their lives on the roads. This stark reality has driven the government to announce a new road safety strategy aimed at reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured (KSI) by 2035. The plan sets clear targets and outlines practical steps to make roads safer for everyone, from young drivers to motorcyclists and older road users.

New road safety measures aim to reduce accidents on busy urban roads

Clear Targets to Save Lives

The strategy focuses on cutting KSIs across Great Britain by setting measurable goals to track progress. With an average of four fatalities daily in 2024, the government aims to significantly lower this number by 2035. This long-term vision reflects a commitment to making roads safer through evidence-based policies and continuous monitoring.

The plan recognizes that different groups face unique risks on the road. For example, young and novice drivers often lack experience, while older drivers may face challenges related to eyesight or reaction times. Motorcyclists also have higher vulnerability in crashes. The strategy commits to reviewing policies for these groups to develop smarter, targeted interventions.

Four Key Themes for Safer Roads

The new strategy revolves around four main themes, each addressing a critical aspect of road safety:

Supporting Road Users

This theme focuses on education, training, and awareness campaigns to help all road users make safer choices. It includes plans to introduce a minimum learning period for learner drivers, ensuring they gain enough experience before driving independently. There is also a push to improve moped and motorcycle training, testing, and licensing to reduce accidents involving two-wheelers.

Using Technology, Innovation, and Data

Advances in vehicle technology and data analysis offer new ways to prevent accidents and improve post-collision care. The strategy promotes mandating safety technologies in vehicles through type approval processes. This could include features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and better crash detection systems. Collecting and analyzing data will help identify risk patterns and improve responses after collisions.

Ensuring Safe Infrastructure

Road design and maintenance play a vital role in preventing accidents. The strategy highlights the need to review and improve infrastructure to protect all users, including pedestrians and cyclists. This might involve better road markings, safer junctions, and clearer signage to reduce confusion and hazards.

Robust Enforcement

Effective enforcement of traffic laws is essential to deter dangerous behavior. The strategy includes consultations on motoring offences to ensure penalties are appropriate and consistent. It also proposes mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers to ensure they remain fit to drive safely.

Improved road infrastructure helps reduce accidents at busy junctions

Consultations to Shape Future Policies

Alongside the strategy, five consultations have been launched to gather public and expert input on key areas:

• Motoring offences and penalties

• Minimum learning period for learner drivers (category B licence)

• Mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers

• Enhancements to moped and motorcycle training, testing, and licensing (categories AM, A1, A2, A)

• Mandating vehicle safety technologies in type approval

  
  

These consultations allow stakeholders to contribute ideas and help shape policies that will have a real impact on road safety.

What This Means for Road Users

For drivers, riders, and pedestrians, the strategy promises safer journeys through better training, smarter vehicles, improved roads, and stronger enforcement. For example, learner drivers will benefit from a longer learning period, giving them more time to build skills before driving solo. Older drivers will face mandatory eyesight tests to ensure they can still drive safely. Motorcyclists will see improved training and licensing standards to reduce risks.

Technology will play a bigger role in preventing crashes. Cars equipped with advanced safety features will become standard, helping drivers avoid collisions or reduce their severity. Emergency services will also benefit from better data to respond quickly and effectively after accidents.

Tracking Progress and Staying Accountable

The strategy includes a clear approach to monitoring progress. Regular updates will track how well policies reduce KSIs and improve road safety. This transparency helps hold authorities accountable and allows adjustments based on what works best.

Advanced vehicle safety features help prevent accidents and protect drivers

Moving Toward Safer Roads for Everyone

This new road safety strategy offers a comprehensive plan to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on Great Britain’s roads. By focusing on supporting road users, using technology, improving infrastructure, and enforcing laws, it addresses the many factors that contribute to accidents.

Road safety affects everyone. Whether you are a new driver, an experienced motorcyclist, or a pedestrian, these changes aim to create safer conditions and save lives. Staying informed about the consultations and upcoming policies can help you understand how these measures will impact your daily travel.

For more information check out the announcement on .GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/road-safety-strategy