Earlier this month, the Government published the first national Road Safety Strategy in more than a decade. This really matters because for too long, deaths and serious injuries on our roads have been treated as inevitable accidents. They are not accidents, they are often preventable collisions caused by the fatal four factors – speeding, drink/drug driving, not wearing seat belts or using mobile phone.
As Police and Crime Commissioner for County Durham and Darlington, road safety is not a minor issue. It is central to my Police, Crime and Justice Plan Safer Roads commitment, underpinned by a clear ambition of achieving Vision Zero – every day without a road death. That is why I welcome the publication of this strategy, challenging targets, and the renewed national focus it will bring.
After the publication of the strategy, I was invited to speak at a high-profile national online event attended by more than five hundred people, including road safety practitioners, bereaved families, campaigners, and National Police Chiefs’ Council leads. I was asked to share my reflections on the new strategy not only as a national roads policing lead, but as a local PCC and Victims’ Commissioner who meets families living with the devastating aftermath of road death and serious injury.
The strategy gets several important things right. For the first time in years, it sets clear national targets: a 65% reduction in people killed or seriously injured by 2035, and a 70% reduction for children. It places the Safe System at its heart – recognising that while people make mistakes, our roads, vehicles, and laws must be designed to prevent those mistakes becoming fatal.
I strongly welcome the government’s proposals to consult on a lower drink-drive limit, an even lower limit for novice drivers, mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers, and tougher action against dangerous behaviours such as seatbelt non-use, mobile phone distraction and illegal number plates. These measures reflect what residents consistently raise with me and align closely with work already underway locally through Durham Constabulary and partners.
Where this strategy does not yet go far enough is in protecting young and inexperienced drivers. While a minimum learning period is proposed, it stops short of fully embracing Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) – a proven, evidence-based approach that saves lives. The evidence is overwhelming, and the cost of delay is measured not in reports, but in funerals and hospital wards.
There is also a hard truth we must confront: targets without funding will not deliver change. Stronger enforcement of drink and drug driving, tackling uninsured vehicles, ghost plates and persistent speeding all require sustained investment in roads policing, forensic testing, and technology.
Have your say – the Government will be consulting on proposals including:
- Lowering the drink-drive limit, including a lower limit for novice drivers
- Tougher action on drink and drug driving, including immediate licence suspension.
- Measures to better protect young and inexperienced drivers.
- Mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers
- Stronger enforcement against speeding, mobile phone use, seatbelt non-compliance and illegal number plates
Before I submit my formal response, I would like to hear from you.
Please get in touch by email or telephone 0191 375 2001 to share your views. Your feedback will directly shape my response to the consultation.
Together, we can turn our Vision Zero ambition into reality!
