Government sets out first road safety strategy in a decade with major implications for taxi drivers and other motorists
- Perry Richardson
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
The UK Government has published its first Road Safety Strategy in more than ten years, setting out an ambitious programme that could affect taxi and private hire vehicle drivers and other motorists across Britain.
Launched today, the strategy commits to reducing road deaths and serious injuries by 65% by 2035, with a separate target of 70% for children under 16. The announcement comes against a backdrop of stalled progress, with around four people still dying on UK roads every day and Britain slipping down European road safety rankings.
For the taxi and private hire trade the measures are particularly relevant. An estimated one in three road traffic fatalities involves someone driving or riding for work, placing professional drivers firmly within the scope of the new approach. Ministers say the strategy is designed to reduce pressure on the NHS while improving safety for communities and those who earn a living behind the wheel.
One of the most significant proposals is a consultation on lowering the drink-drive limit in England and Wales, which has remained unchanged since 1967 and is currently the highest in Europe. In 2023, one in six road deaths involved drink driving. The Government will also explore the use of alcohol interlock devices and new powers to suspend licences for drivers suspected of drink or drug driving offences. For licensed drivers, this raises the prospect of stricter compliance checks and tougher consequences following convictions.
New plan targets drink driving, driver training and vehicle safety as ministers aim to cut road deaths by 65% by 2035
The strategy also focuses on driver experience and competence. Drivers aged 17 to 24 make up just 6% of licence holders but are involved in 24% of fatal and serious collisions. Ministers will consult on introducing a minimum learning period of three or six months for learner drivers, aimed at ensuring experience in night driving, adverse weather and heavy traffic. While this will not directly affect existing taxi and PHV licence holders, it could impact the future recruitment pool entering the trade.
Older drivers are another focus. With an ageing population, the Government plans a consultation on mandatory eyesight testing for drivers over 70, alongside options for cognitive testing. Taxi and private hire drivers in this age group may face additional scrutiny as part of licence renewals, depending on how local authorities align with any national changes.
Enforcement is also set to tighten. New measures will target illegal and so-called ghost number plates designed to evade camera systems, alongside crackdowns on uninsured vehicles and those without a valid MOT. These steps are likely to be welcomed by parts of the taxi trade that have long raised concerns about uneven enforcement and illegal activity undermining compliant operators.
The strategy adopts the internationally recognised Safe System approach, which assumes human error is inevitable but serious injury and death are not. Responsibility is spread across road design, vehicle standards, enforcement and education, rather than resting solely on individual drivers. A new Road Safety Investigation Branch will analyse collision data using linked police and healthcare records to identify root causes and shape future interventions.
Vehicle standards form another pillar of the plan. The Government will mandate 18 new safety technologies, including autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance.
Oversight of the strategy will sit with a new Road Safety Board chaired by the Minister for Local Transport, supported by an expert advisory panel drawn from local authorities, emergency services and road safety organisations. Vulnerable road users remain a priority, with further consultations planned on motorcycle training and licensing, alongside trials to improve safety on rural roads.
Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, said: “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.
“We are taking decisive action to make our roads safer for everyone, from new drivers taking their first lessons to older motorists wanting to maintain their independence. The measures we are announcing today will save thousands of lives over the coming decade."
