The government is aiming to cut deaths and serious injuries on Great Britain’s roads by 65% by 2035 compared with a baseline period of 2022-2024, ministers have said.
Over the same period they wanting to cut the number of children being killed and seriously injured by 70%.
The targets were announced alongside the launch of a new road safety strategy.
In 2024, 1,602 people died on the roads, more than four per day. A fifth of those killed or seriously injured were motorcyclists. Eighteen percent were young people (aged 17-24).
The wide-ranging list of proposals include:
- consulting on a minimum learning period for learner drivers
- consulting on mandatory eye tests for drivers aged over 70 and the development of options for a new cognitive test for older drivers
- piloting a national work-related road safety charter for businesses whose employees drive or ride for work
- establishing a national road safety investigation branch
- consulting on mandating the fitting of 18 new safety technologies in new vehicles
- improving the sharing of data between the Department for Transport and the NHS
- publishing new guidance on setting local speed limits, and using red light and speed cameras
- consulting on changes to motoring offences including a reduction of the drink-drive limit and how to tackle the growing problem of illegal number plates, including ‘ghost’ number plates
- consulting on improving moped and motorcycle training, testing and licensing
Responding to the announcement of the strategy, Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said:
“After a long wait and several delays roads minister Lilian Greenwood has confounded those who feared the new Road Safety Strategy would be something of an anti-climax by setting a genuinely bold ambition for a 65% reduction in road deaths and serious injuries, and an even more stretching 70% target for the reduction in child casualties.
“Achieving such a dramatic improvement in road safety after several years of plateauing numbers requires a comprehensive approach and the new strategy doesn’t disappoint – there’s a clear recognition that there are no simple ‘silver-bullet’ solutions, instead measures are planned covering everything from highway engineering to vehicle technology, from the youngest drivers to the oldest, and for tough enforcement on drink and drug driving and seat-belt wearing.
“It is one thing to set out a bold strategy and another to see it through to full implementation. The delivery of this strategy rests on the co-operation and active collaboration of many players – ministers are going to need all the help they can get to deliver the outcome we would all wish to see.
“We welcome the Government’s desire to exceed the 65% target for reduction in road casualties by setting a 70% target for children aged under 16.
“Setting a minimum learning period before novice drivers can take their driving test represents a sensible step in the direction of the broader package of measures we would ultimately like to see in order to help young drivers gain experience before routinely carrying passengers.
“We have long thought that eyesight testing should be a mandatory requirement for drivers – we wholeheartedly support the proposal for this to be introduced for those aged over 70, and suggest that this be followed by a requirement for all drivers, possibly linked to the established 10-year cycle of licence renewal.
“The new Road Safety Strategy calls for a collaborative approach and the RAC Foundation stands ready to play its part.”
ENDS
Contact:
Philip Gomm – Head of External Communications – RAC Foundation
[email protected] | 07711 776448
Notes to editors:
The RAC Foundation is a transport policy and research organisation which explores the economic, mobility, safety and environmental issues relating to roads and their users.
The Foundation publishes independent and authoritative research with which it promotes informed debate and advocates policy in the interest of the responsible motorist. For more information visit www.racfoundation.org