The UK government is poised to unveil a major new road safety strategy, with proposals that could see drivers aged 70 and over required to take regular mandatory eye and cognitive tests.
Core Proposals for Safer Roads
Set for publication on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, the strategy has an ambitious target: to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Britain's roads by 65 per cent by 2035. The goal is even higher for children, aiming for a 70 per cent reduction for those under 16.
Alongside the potential new rules for older motorists, ministers are looking to tighten drink-driving laws across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The plan is to align the legal alcohol limit with Scotland's stricter threshold of 22 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath.
Addressing the Statistics Behind the Strategy
These potential changes are a direct response to concerning road safety data. Official figures reveal that in 2024, nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of all car drivers killed were aged 70 or older. Furthermore, 12 per cent of all collisions involved older drivers, highlighting a key area for intervention.
The proposed strategy is not limited to age-related testing and alcohol limits. Other measures under consideration include:
- Substantially higher fines for uninsured drivers, with penalties potentially doubling to £600.
- The introduction of penalty points for failing to wear a seatbelt, a move designed to improve compliance with this fundamental safety law.
A Comprehensive Approach to Road Safety
This suite of measures represents a multi-faceted approach to improving safety for all road users. By targeting specific high-risk factors—from age-related fitness to drink-driving and lack of insurance—the government aims to create a systemic shift. The focus on protecting children and young people underscores the strategy's preventative nature.
If implemented, these plans would mark one of the most significant updates to UK road safety policy in recent years, placing a renewed emphasis on driver competency and stricter enforcement of traffic laws.
