The Parliamentary Advisory Committee on Transport Safety (PACTS) has welcomed the news that the Government is planning a major overhaul of road safety laws, with proposals expected in autumn as part of a new strategy. However, with around five people dying on the UK’s roads every day, change cannot come soon enough, says the group.
The Government is currently ‘testing the water’ on some of the proposed measures in the strategy.
Key measures reportedly under consideration include:
– Lowering the drink-drive limit in England & Wales to 22 micrograms per 100ml of breath, in line with Scotland and most of Europe.
– Mandatory eye tests every three years for drivers over 70.
– Tougher penalties for uninsured drivers and those not wearing a seat belt.
– Expanded roadside drug-driving enforcement powers.
PACTS’ research shows these steps are a start, but the strategy must go further, urging the Government to:
– Introduce zero alcohol limits for young and professional drivers.
– Strengthen prevention through measures such as alcolocks for offenders
– Make seat belt offences endorsable with penalty points, and expand AI camera enforcement.
– Reform rehabilitation, enforcement, and data collection for both drink- and drug-driving.
– Improve road design, education, and vehicle safety for older drivers.
“We now await the detail – and, crucially, how quickly these changes will be implemented,” says a PACTS statement on LinkedIN.
(Pic: Essex Fire & Rescue)
