The government is poised to introduce a major new road safety strategy, with plans that could see drivers aged 70 and over required to take regular mandatory eye and cognitive tests. The strategy, aiming for a dramatic reduction in road casualties, is due to be published on Wednesday, 7 January 2026.
Core Proposals for Safer Roads
Ministers are considering a significant tightening of drink-driving laws across England and Wales, proposing to align the legal alcohol limit with Scotland's stricter threshold of 22 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath. This forms a central pillar of the new safety drive.
Another key measure directly addresses concerns over older motorists. The proposal for compulsory testing for drivers over 70 follows official data revealing that 24 per cent of car drivers killed in 2024 were aged 70 or older. Furthermore, statistics indicate that 12 per cent of all collisions involved older drivers.
Stiffer Penalties for Existing Offences
The strategy also seeks to deter other dangerous behaviours through increased penalties. Fines for driving without insurance could be doubled to £600, while a new system of penalty points for failing to wear a seatbelt is under active consideration.
Ambitious Long-Term Targets
The overarching goal of the new policy framework is ambitious. It aims to achieve a 65 per cent reduction in all road deaths and serious injuries by 2035. An even more stringent target is set for children, with the government aiming for a 70 per cent reduction for those under the age of 16 within the same timeframe.
These comprehensive measures represent the most substantial proposed overhaul of road safety regulation in years, focusing on high-risk groups and reinforcing the consequences for well-known traffic offences.
