The UK government is preparing to implement a sweeping overhaul of road safety laws, including stricter drink-driving limits, mandatory eye tests for older motorists, and automatic emergency braking in new cars, in a bid to dramatically cut deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads.
The initiative — the country’s first major road safety strategy in more than a decade — sets an ambitious goal to reduce fatalities and serious injuries by 65% by 2035, a move ministers describe as “a turning point” in making British roads safer for all.
Key Measures in the New Road Safety Plan
The wide-ranging proposals, to be unveiled this week, focus on reducing the most common causes of collisions — drink and drug driving, inattention, and lack of driver preparedness.
Lower Drink-Drive Limit
The government will consult on cutting the drink-drive limit in England and Wales from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath to 22 micrograms — matching Scotland’s standard introduced in 2014.
The current UK limit, unchanged since 1967, is the highest in Europe.
Convicted offenders could also be required to install “alcolocks” — in-car breathalysers that prevent vehicles from starting if the driver is over the limit.
Additionally, drivers suspected of being under the influence could have their licences suspended pending the outcome of tests, giving police stronger powers to act before court proceedings conclude.
Mandatory Eye Tests for Older Drivers
As the UK’s population ages, the government plans to make eye exams mandatory every three years for drivers aged 70 and above. Ministers are also exploring cognitive testing options to ensure drivers remain fit to drive without unfairly restricting independence.
New Safety Tech: Dev’s Law
From now on, automatic emergency braking (AEB) — which uses sensors to detect potential collisions and apply the brakes automatically — will be mandatory in new vehicles.
The measure will be introduced under “Dev’s Law”, named in memory of eight-year-old Dev Naran, who was killed in a motorway crash in 2018. His mother, Meera Naran MBE, has campaigned for years to make AEB compulsory in the UK.
In total, 18 advanced safety technologies, already standard in many European markets, will become mandatory for new vehicles sold in Britain.
Longer Learning Periods for New Drivers
To tackle the disproportionate number of serious crashes involving young motorists, the government plans to require new drivers to complete a minimum of three to six months of supervised learning before taking their driving test.
Learners would need experience in night-time, poor weather, and heavy-traffic conditions before qualifying.
Harsher Penalties for Offenders
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Uninsured drivers will face fines doubled to £600.
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Not wearing a seatbelt will carry penalty points in addition to existing fines.
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Drug-driving enforcement will be expanded, allowing police to take stronger roadside action against offenders.
A Focus on Smarter Regulation
The new framework also proposes changes to crash testing standards, ensuring that vehicle safety testing accounts for a wider range of body types — rather than relying solely on dummies modelled after the average 75kg male.
This marks a significant shift towards inclusive vehicle safety design, recognising how women, children, and smaller passengers may experience different risks in collisions.
A “Turning Point” for Road Safety
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the reforms were overdue after years of slow progress:
“Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy that devastates families and communities. For too long, progress on road safety has stalled. This strategy marks a turning point.”
“We are taking decisive action to make our roads safer for everyone — from new drivers taking their first lessons to older motorists wanting to maintain their independence.”
Reactions from Safety Experts
Motoring and safety organisations broadly welcomed the plan.
Edmund King, President of the AA, praised the measures as “a positively radical reframing of road safety that’s long overdue.”
Nicholas Lyes, of IAM RoadSmart, said the plan comes after “a lost decade” for casualty reduction, adding:
“It’s encouraging to see stronger measures on drug-driving and new powers for police to keep dangerous drivers off the road.”
Rod Dennis, of the RAC, highlighted the scale of the problem:
“Britain might have some of the safest roads internationally, but four people still die and 76 are seriously injured every day. Setting new reduction targets is vital — now we need concrete action.”
About Freeman & Co.
Freeman & Co. are a specialist firm of road traffic and criminal defence solicitors based in Manchester but with nationwide coverage.
Freeman & Co. specialise in a wide variety of road traffic cases, ranging from drink driving, speeding and mobile phone offences, to name but a few.
The firm was created by Nick Freeman, who has been dubbed “Mr Loophole” by the press for his technical legal ability and robustly challenging the prosecution.
Nick is well regarded as an expert road traffic lawyer and has successfully represented many high profile clients for a variety of motoring offences as well as criminal offences.
The firm of Freeman & Co. embodies the way Nick works, with minute attention to detail and challenging the prosecution at every turn.
If you are facing a road traffic matter or criminal offence and need the services of Freeman & Co. please call on 0161 236 7007.
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Freeman & Co Solicitors
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Tel. 0161 236 7007
