Road Safety Strategy Brings Sweeping Reform

The Government has announced its road safety strategy, promising sweeping reform to reduce death and injury on UK roads.

Seeking to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by 65% by 2035, the strategy is the first of its kind in over 10 years.

It promises new consultations on minimum learning periods for learner drivers, as well as regular eye tests for over 70s, and a lowering of the alcohol limit for driving.

Promising, via a Government press release, to “help save thousands of lives and deliver on the government’s commitment to growth, safer communities, and easing pressure on the NHS,” the new policies will seek to lower a drink-drive limit that has been unchanged since 1967 and is currently the highest in Europe.

It will also consult on the use of alcohol interlock devices so those convicted of drink driving may be required to have a device fitted to their vehicle if they wish to drive again.

Rod Dennis, RAC Road Safety spokesman, said: “We’ve long said the dial needs to be turned up when it comes to reducing road casualties, so we warmly welcome this strategy- and especially reintroduction of casualty reduction targets, which were scrapped 16 years ago.

“The simple truth is that this strategy can’t come soon enough. Britain might have some of the safest roads by international standards, but on average, four people are still killed and 76 seriously injured every single day.

“That’s an unacceptable number of lives being ruined or cut short.

“This strategy is a real chance to give the whole topic of road safety the focus and public attention it deserves.”

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