Drivers Targeted in Government Road Safety Crackdown

Words and Photography: Nik Berg

The Government’s Road Safety Strategy proposals could make it harder for young drivers to get on the road and for older drivers to stay on it.

The plans are covered in five consultations, but they all have the same goal – to drive down the number of accidents on British roads.

“Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy that devastates families and communities,” said transport secretary Heidi Alexander, when announcing the proposals. “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.”

Starting with learners, the Government would like to introduce a mandatory three to six-month gap between taking the driving theory test and the practical one. The thinking is that this time period would give learners the chance to experience a more varied set of conditions to better prepare them for life on the road. In reality, for many new drivers this type of gap between tests is already in place as the backlog for practical driving tests is currently 22 weeks.

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More useful then, are ideas to introduce road safety education into the National Curriculum and to bring in a National Work-Related Road Safety Charter which would see drivers receiving ongoing education through their workplaces.

Young drivers remain those at highest risk, with 24 per cent of all road deaths and serious collisions occurring in the 17-24 age group

Moving to drivers aged over 70, who currently suffer almost 25 per cent of road deaths, the Government wants to introduce more stringent testing to ensure that they are physically fit to drive.

Under the existing system drivers are required to self-report should they suffer a loss of vision, but the new proposal could see mandatory sight tests every three years. There’s also an idea to bring in cognitive testing to asses attention, memory and problem-solving abilities.

Punishment for driving offences could also be toughened up if the plans get approved. Failing to wear a seatbelt could see points added to your licence as well as a fine, with the driver of the car being responsible for all occupants. Penalty points for driving without insurance would be doubled (from three to six points), with fines also going up. New penalties would be brought in for drivers caught using ghost number plates which can’t be captured on camera.

Speed limits could be further reduced as local authorities would be given more control over their own roads. At the moment councils have to provide evidence of accidents before applying to have a lower speed limit brought in, but that could be scrapped. The number of red light and speed cameras could also go up if the current rules are relaxed.

Drink driving is another target. In England and Wales the drink drive limit is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, which is higher than any other country in Europe. The level was set back in 1967, but the Government would like to match Scotland’s limit of 50mg, with new drivers given a strict zero limit. To enforce the rules the Government proposes “new powers to suspend driving licences for those suspected of drink or drug driving offences.”

Previous offenders may also be required to have US-style alcohol interlock devices fitted to their cars when returning from a driving ban.

Of all the proposals which form part of the consultation the drink-driving changes are most likely to be supported by road users. A 2025 survey by the RAC revealed that 82 per cent of drivers were in favour of tougher regulations. Government stats show that in 2023 one sixth of road deaths involved drink driving and that the numbers had actually risen by seven per cent in the last ten years.

All of these plans will be subject to consultation before they can be introduced.

What do you think would be the most effective way to make Britain’s roads safer? Drop your thoughts on the Government’s Road Safety Strategy proposals, below.