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This week, the UK government announced its new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade.
The government claims this new strategy will save thousands of lives on UK roads through a series of reforms, including a crackdown on drunk driving and mandatory eye tests for older drivers.
The plan sets out to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on the nation’s roads by 65% by 2035, responding to the approximately four deaths that occur daily on British roads.
The strategy takes a hard stance on drink driving, aiming to lower the drink-driving limit in England and Wales—currently the highest in Europe. The existing limit has remained unchanged since 1967.
Under the reformed legislation, some drink-driving offenders may be required to have alcohol interlock devices fitted to their vehicles before they are allowed back on the road.
The new strategy also outlines legislation for new drivers, citing inexperience as a key cause of fatal accidents. The government plans to implement a three- to six-month minimum learning period, giving inexperienced motorists the opportunity to gain more experience under varied conditions.
Responding to Britain’s ageing population, the strategy will also introduce new requirements for older drivers, including compulsory eye tests for those over 70. This revision aims to protect older motorists, other road users, and pedestrians alike.
Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander spoke on the strategy in a press release, saying:
“Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy that devastates families and communities. For too long, progress on road safety has stalled. This strategy marks a turning point.”
This new legislation represents a shift in the government’s approach to road safety, reversing what it admitted in a press release was a “decade of stalled progress” that saw Britain slip from third to fourth place in European road safety rankings.
Alongside new restrictions on individual drivers, the government has outlined an ambitious plan to address other contributing factors, including vehicle safety, road design, and driving education.
The new mandate came into effect yesterday following an official government press release.
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