The UK government has unveiled a landmark road safety strategy, marking what it calls a decisive 'turning point' in efforts to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on roads in England and Wales. Announced on 7 January 2026, the plan includes a significant reduction in the legal drink-drive limit and a suite of other measures aimed at protecting all road users.
Core Measures of the New Safety Strategy
At the heart of the new strategy is a reduction of the drink-drive limit in England and Wales from the current 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath to 22 micrograms. This change will bring both nations into line with Scotland, which lowered its limit back in 2014. The government stated that the UK's limits are currently among the highest in Europe.
Alongside this change, the strategy introduces several other key policies:
- Compulsory eye tests for drivers aged 70 and over. Currently, drivers only need to self-declare fitness to the DVLA.
- A mandatory minimum learning period for new drivers before they can take their test.
- The potential for alcohol locks (alcolocks) to be fitted to the vehicles of certain convicted drink-drivers as a condition of regaining their licence. These devices prevent a car from starting if the driver fails a breathalyser test.
- The immediate suspension of driving licences for individuals suspected of drink or drug driving.
Ambitious Targets to Save Lives
This new framework, the first major overhaul in over a decade, sets bold targets for casualty reduction. The government aims to cut road deaths and serious injuries by 65% by 2035, with an even more ambitious goal of a 70% reduction for children under 16.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander emphasised the urgency, stating: "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." She added that the measures announced would save thousands of lives in the coming decade.
Official figures highlight the need for action. While road deaths have fallen since the 1970s, the rate of decline has slowed since 2010. In the last recorded year, there were 1,602 road deaths, compared to 1,850 in 2010 and 7,763 in 1972. The Department for Transport also noted that 22 European countries have outperformed the UK in reducing road fatalities in recent years.
Industry and Charity Reaction
Road safety organisations have largely welcomed the proposals. Edmund King, AA president, described it as a "radical reframing of road safety", while the RAC's Rod Dennis said it "can't come soon enough", praising the return of casualty targets and alcolocks.
Karen Tyrell, chief executive of Drinkaware, supported the lower limit but stressed it was "vital that this change is coupled with strong enforcement". She highlighted that the proportion of drink-drive collisions causing fatalities has nearly doubled since 2015.
Nicholas Lyes of IAM RoadSmart called the measures "robust policies to make our roads safer" after a "lost decade" in reducing collisions.
It is important to note that the power to alter the drink-drive limit in Northern Ireland rests with the devolved Northern Ireland Assembly and is not part of this announcement for England and Wales.
