The government has published its long-awaited Road Safety Strategy, marking the first major overhaul in nearly two decades. The plan, revealed on Wednesday 7 January 2026, includes a pledge to lower the drink-drive limit in England and Wales and to consult on introducing a minimum six-month learning period for new motorists.
Campaigners Decry "Missed Opportunity" for Young Drivers
While the strategy has been labelled "welcome" and "ambitious" by motoring groups, it has faced immediate criticism from bereaved families and The AA for not going far enough to protect young motorists. The government's own statistics highlight the acute risk, with nearly a quarter of all road deaths and serious injuries involving drivers aged 17-24, despite this group making up only around 6% of licence holders.
Nicole and Chris Taylor, whose 18-year-old daughter Rebecca died in a car crash in Northamptonshire in 2008, were among those expressing disappointment. "If the government thinks this is enough for us - it's not enough," Nicole told Sky News. Chris Taylor added that while a longer learning period was a good idea, more protection was needed once young drivers are on the road alone.
The Push for Graduated Driving Licences
The Taylors, along with hundreds of other families, have campaigned for years for the introduction of Graduated Driving Licences (GDL). Used in countries like Australia and Canada, GDLs impose restrictions on newly qualified drivers, such as limits on night-time driving and the number of young passengers they can carry—factors frequently linked to serious collisions.
Edmund King, president of The AA, called the omission of such measures a "missed opportunity." He stated, "We've spoken to colleagues in Canada and Australia about GDLs and the one measure that they all tell us saves the most lives is limiting the number of same age passengers in a car for six months. We think that would have been a small price to pay and would save over 50 lives a year."
Key Measures of the New Strategy
The government's strategy sets a target to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Britain's roads by 65% by 2035. Key proposals include:
- Lowering the drink-drive limit in England and Wales, noting the current limit is the highest in Europe and unchanged since 1967. Drink-driving was a factor in one in six road fatalities in 2023.
- Launching a consultation on a mandatory minimum learning period of up to six months before a driving test can be taken.
- Introducing mandatory eye tests for drivers over the age of 70.
- Exploring preventative technology like alcohol interlock devices (breathalysers connected to a vehicle's ignition).
- Creating a new Road Safety Board to oversee the delivery of the plan.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the strategy as a "turning point," stating, "Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy that devastates families and communities. For too long, progress on road safety has stalled... The measures we are announcing today will save thousands of lives over the coming decade."
