New road safety strategy welcomed by South West partnership after Westminster showcase

New national rules set to be announced this autumn could significantly improve road safety, according to the Vision Zero South West partnership.

The Government’s long-awaited National Road Safety Strategy – the first in more than a decade – is expected to introduce a series of measures, including mandatory eye tests and health checks for older drivers, lowering the drink-drive limit, and tougher penalties for failing to wear seatbelts.

Many of the proposed reforms mirror recommendations put forward by Vision Zero South West during a Westminster showcase at Portcullis House in November 2024.

The partnership, chaired by Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez, unveiled its Road to Zero proposals to MPs and delegates, calling for national changes to complement its local work in Devon and Cornwall. These included:

• Prioritising investment in safer roads, including tackling potholes

• Instant roadside bans for drink and drug-drivers

• Clear legislation on e-scooters and e-bikes

• Mandatory Intelligent Speed Assistance in new vehicles

• Embedding road safety into the school curriculum

Chair Alison Hernandez said:

“It’s really positive to hear noises which suggest the Government are taking road safety seriously. We believe our partnership approach to road safety in Devon and Cornwall is a good example of how these issues need to be tackled holistically from all angles – and we are starting to see positive results.

“However, there’s only so much a partnership like ours can achieve without national support from the Government in key areas. As such, I welcome the renewed emphasis on road safety and eagerly anticipate more details when they are revealed in the Autumn.”

In 2024, 56 people were killed and a further 622 seriously injured on Devon and Cornwall’s roads.

Commissioner Hernandez added:

“We must never forget that these aren’t just numbers. These are lives turned upside down by unimaginable tragedy and trauma. To remind us why our work is so important – and to pay tribute to those involved - every Vision Zero South West board meeting starts with the reading of a list of names of those who have lost their lives since we last met. This is followed by a minute’s silence in their memory.

“I use that time to remind myself of the families I’ve met who were devastated by their loss and knowing that these recent deaths will have created more families affected in this way. It spurs us on to consider, at pace, what they want us to be doing.”

Partnership Manager Natalie Warr also welcomed the expected strategy:

“I am delighted to hear that the long-awaited national Road Safety Strategy is due to be published by the Government in the Autumn.Hopefully this will include national casualty reduction targets and performance indicators, along with increased levels of funding to achieve the step change needed to prevent the heartache and pain caused by road traffic collisions.”

According to The Times, the Government’s new rules could include:

• Mandatory eye tests every three years for drivers over 70

• Lowering the drink-drive limit in England and Wales, bringing it in line with Scotland and most of Europe

• Roadside saliva tests to improve enforcement against drug-driving

• Tougher penalties for uninsured driving and failing to wear a seatbelt, with repeat drink-drivers potentially facing alcolock devices

• Health checks for conditions such as dementia that could impair driving ability