UK Ministers Urged to Strengthen Road Safety with Over-70s Driving Ban and More
UK ministers face increasing pressure to toughen road safety regulations amid concerns over stagnant figures in road deaths and injuries.
The government is considering new rules that could see drivers over 70 banned if they fail mandatory eyesight tests, while calls grow for additional measures to protect younger, less experienced motorists.
The proposed overhaul comes as official figures reveal 1,633 fatalities and nearly 28,000 serious injuries on Great Britain’s roads last year — a grim statistic that has shown little improvement in recent years after earlier declines.
Edmund King, president of the AA, welcomed the initiative but warned: “The time has come for a bold and proactive approach to road safety. This strategy is much overdue as road deaths have plateaued over the last decade.”
He added: “We believe these new measures will not only modernise our approach to saving lives but also provide renewed momentum in making our roads safer for everyone.”
Key proposals include mandatory eyesight checks for drivers over 70, stricter penalties for driving uninsured or without a seatbelt, and a potential reduction of the drink-drive limit in England and Wales to align with Scotland and much of Europe.
Nicholas Lyes, director of policy at IAM RoadSmart, also voiced support: “While many drivers over the age of 70 are safe and competent, health issues and confidence can have an impact on driving abilities, so it is sensible to review whether changes need to be made.”
He cautioned, however, that effective enforcement would require greater investment in road policing: “These would require significantly more backing for roads policing teams to effectively enforce new laws.”
Despite these positive steps, motoring groups criticised the absence of restrictions on young drivers carrying peer passengers during their initial six months, calling it a “major oversight” given the risks involved.
A Labour insider slammed the current government for failing to reduce road casualties: “At the end of the last Labour government, the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads was at a record low, but numbers have remained stubbornly high under successive Conservative governments.”
The source highlighted the human and financial toll: “In no other circumstance would we accept 1,600 people dying, with thousands more seriously injured, costing the NHS more than £2bn per year.”
Drink-driving deaths have also surged, reaching a 13-year peak in 2022, intensifying calls for stricter drink-driving laws.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is reportedly considering lowering the drink-drive limit in England and Wales from 35 to 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath, the same limit enforced in Scotland and many European nations.
Other reforms under review include empowering police to prosecute drug-driving offences based on roadside saliva tests instead of relying on blood tests, addressing the rise in drug-related driving incidents.
The government plans to unveil its updated road safety strategy this autumn, with all proposals open to public consultation. For further details on these changes and the full scope of the planned reforms, see the driving rules overhaul.
The overarching goal is clear: to save lives, improve road safety for all users, and tackle the persistent issue of fatal and serious crashes in the UK.
