Sadiq Khan Rejects Anti-Motorist Label in New Road Safety Push
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has firmly dismissed accusations of being "anti-car" as he unveiled a comprehensive new road safety strategy on Friday, March 13, 2026. The Mayor emphasized his commitment to reducing casualties rather than targeting motorists, stating, "I'm not anti-motorist, I'm anti-death. I am not anti-car, I'm anti-people being injured."
Vision Zero Action Plan: A Detailed Roadmap
The rebooted Vision Zero Action Plan, developed jointly by City Hall and Transport for London (TfL), outlines 43 specific proposals designed to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries on London's roads by 2041. This ambitious document builds upon the initial plan launched in 2018, which previously introduced bus safety standards and expanded 20mph zones across the capital.
Key measures in the updated strategy include:
- Further expansion of 20mph speed limits in residential areas
- Increased installation of zebra crossings and pedestrian safety infrastructure
- Enhanced cycling network development and free training programs for cyclists
- A comprehensive review of SUV usage and potential charges for larger vehicles
- Continued rollout of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs)
According to TfL data, there has been a 24% reduction in road deaths and serious injuries in 2024 compared to the 2010-2014 baseline. The organization aims to achieve a 70% reduction by 2030 as an intermediate milestone toward the 2041 goal.
Political Opposition and Criticism
The plan has faced significant criticism from Conservative and Reform party representatives. Thomas Turrell, City Hall Conservatives' Transport Spokesman, described the strategy as a "Trojan Horse" for implementing anti-motorist policies. He argued that current casualty reduction rates suggest it would take approximately 1,200 years to eliminate road deaths at the current pace.
Turrell specifically targeted the SUV review, calling it a "family car tax" that would disproportionately affect lower-income Londoners. "Sadiq Khan's war on motorists cannot be disguised by claims that he is trying to make the capital safer," he stated.
Reform's Keith Prince echoed these concerns, suggesting the plan sets "an unattainable target" and represents "yet another way to punish London's drivers."
SUV Safety Concerns and Research
The TfL report highlights particular safety concerns regarding Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), which now comprise 31% of London's car fleet compared to just 3% in 2003. Research indicates these larger vehicles pose significantly greater risks to pedestrians and cyclists.
Key findings include:
- SUVs are 14% more likely to kill pedestrians and cyclists than other passenger cars
- They are 77% more likely to kill children up to age 18
- The risk increases to 209% for children under nine years old
"Oversized models, such as large SUVs, make it harder for drivers to see people walking and cycling nearby," the document states. "Without action to address oversized and heavier vehicles, more people will be seriously injured or killed."
Mayor's Response and Future Directions
In response to critics, Khan challenged them to "go and meet a bereaved family" before criticizing road safety measures. He pointed to tangible results from previous policies, noting 262 fewer deaths and thousands of reduced injuries since implementation. "We know that by reducing speeds we've reduced collisions by 34 percent, we've reduced deaths by a quarter," he emphasized.
The Mayor declined to confirm support for specific SUV restrictions, stating it was "really important to look at the evidence" before making decisions. TfL will conduct detailed analysis on the safety impacts and broader consequences of larger vehicles.
Lilli Matson, TfL's Chief Safety, Health and Environment Officer, acknowledged London's progress compared to cities like New York and Paris but stressed the need for accelerated improvement. "Every death is one too many," she said, highlighting the plan's evidence-based approaches to further enhance road safety.
Additional elements of the strategy include Metropolitan Police trials of AI-powered cameras to detect mobile phone use while driving and a review of police SUV usage for transporting high-profile officials, including the Mayor himself.
