The government is cracking down on ‘unacceptable’ road deaths, with measures like alcohol lock devices and a lower drink-driving limit in the pipeline.
England and Wales could soon have a lower drink-drive limit as part of a major government road safety revamp. It would also change eye tests for older drivers, clamp down on illegal ghost plates, uninsured drivers, dangerous headlight glare and those who don’t wear seatbelts, and introduce a minimum learning period for learner drivers.
Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary, told Metro: ‘I think it is totally unacceptable that at the moment we have 1,600 people a year killed on our roads, and thousands more who were seriously injured.
‘That comes at a huge personal cost to the individual and their families.
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‘It also comes at a cost to the state as well if you think about the billions of pounds that the NHS would spend on caring for those individuals after those sorts of horrific collisions.’
Here is a roundup of the biggest changes for motorists the government is consulting on as part of the first road safety strategy.
What’s changing with UK drink driving limit?
How many people died on UK roads?
Britain’s road deaths and serious injuries have reduced overall since the 1970s, but the rate has stalled from 2010, causing the UK to fall from third to fourth place in European road safety rankings.
A total of 1,602 people were killed on UK roads in 2024, compared with 1972 when 7,763 people lost their lives on roads.
Currently, the drink driving limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. This is thought to be highest limit in Europe along with Malta, and it has remained unchanged since 1967.
The limit could be reduced to 22 micrograms in England and Wales under the government’s plan. Northern Ireland’s assembly is in charge of changing the region’s limit. It would bring it in line with Scotland, which has had a lower limit since 2014.
Every one in six road deaths in 2023 involved drink-driving, so ministers are also looking into preventative technology like alcohol interlock devices to prevent drink-drivers.
Alcohol locks for drink-drivers
Ministers also want to introduce new powers to suspend licences for people suspected of drink or drug driving offences. And drivers convicted of the offence would need one to be allowed back on the road.
Four in five drivers support alcohol interlocks, according to motoring group RAC’s latest survey of UK drivers.
Do you think the UK should drink-driving limit should be lowered?
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No
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Yes
RAC’s head of policy, Simon Williams, said: ‘Drivers tell us they strongly support more being done to cut the harm caused by drink and, increasingly, drug-drivers – and this includes reducing England’s drink-drive limit, with only one-in-five drivers thinking it should remain as it is.
‘But given a lower limit is unlikely to deter those people who are intent on driving while impaired, the commitment to investigate the benefits of alcolocks is an equally significant step forward in making the roads safer. This technology is globally proven to save lives by preventing convicted drink-drivers from getting behind the wheel drunk again. Our research has found it has broad backing from the motoring public.’
Minimum period for learner drivers
Concern has been raised after a disproportionate number of young and newly qualified drivers have been killed and seriously injured every year. Drivers aged 17-24 are just 6% of licence holders, but they are involved in almost 25% of fatal and serious injury crashes.
To reduce the tragic number, a three to six-month minimum learning period might be introduced. Metro understands that the minimum period would begin from when learners pass their test and is measured by hours on the road, not by lessons.
It would give learner drivers ‘more time to develop their skills in varied conditions such as night driving, adverse weather, and heavy traffic,’ DfT said.
While there are no plans to progress the graduated licensing scheme called for by bereaved families and campaigners, further measures are set to be announced to target young drivers, Metro understands.
'I died the day my son was killed in a totally avoidable crash'
Crystal Owen, whose 17-year-old son Harvey Owen was killed in a car crash with three of his friends, told Metro she welcomed the minimum learning period, but called for the government to go further.
She said: ‘A minimum learning period is something I have been fighting for as part of my petition for safer driving laws, so I am obviously very pleased to see this being proposed. It is utter madness that a child of 17 can currently have a handful of lessons, pass a test, and immediately be responsible for other people’s lives during the most high risk period they will ever face on the roads.
‘Giving young drivers more time and structured experience before they pass their test will help ensure they are exposed to all types of roads and driving conditions, including night driving, bad weather and heavy traffic. That experience is vital if we are serious about reducing deaths and serious injuries.
‘However, while this road safety strategy will do some good things, it leaves out the single most effective protection for young drivers. If the government does not go further, they will be knowingly allowing more lives to be lost on our roads. That is not a guess… it is a fact.
‘Car crashes remain the biggest risk to life for young people. International evidence shows that the peer age passenger element of a graduated driving licence is the most effective measure. As soon as young drivers are allowed to carry peer age passengers after passing their test within the first 6 months, deaths and serious injuries skyrocket.
‘Crucially, this kind of law acts as a social shield for young drivers. It removes peer pressure at the most dangerous time. It is far easier for a young person to say, ‘It’s against the law’ than ‘my mum says no.’ This is about protection, not punishment.
‘I am living with the inaction of government and it is the worse thing you could ever imagine. I died the day my son was killed in a totally avoidable crash. You can raise your child well and still lose them to a car full of mates.’
Eye tests for older drivers
Other planned measures include mandatory eyesight tests for drivers when they turn 70, and a regular eyesight test every three years from that age.
At the moment, it has been up to drivers to report any changes to their eyesight – a system which could be abused, experts have warned.
There are also plans for cognitive testing as the number of older drivers continues to rise.
Edmund King, the president of AA, said: ‘It is important that the Road Safety Review covers eyesight tests. The AA advises all drivers to have an eye test every two years, and we welcome mandatory eye tests for older drivers.The likelihood of crashes increases once someone is over the age of 70 and markedly rises for those above the age of 80 to a peak at age 86, with eyesight often a worrying factor.
‘Eye tests are free for people over the age of 60 and healthcare professionals advise them every two years given they can help with diagnosis of other underlying conditions.’
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