Road Safety Strategy 2026-01-08

The MP welcomed the Government's road safety strategy but expressed concerns about some of its measures. He supported improvements in motorcycle training, enforcement against bad faith drivers, better data usage, and Sharlotte’s law for timely blood testing. However, he cautioned that a six-month delay after passing a theory test could unfairly affect older women who rely on driving after losing their partners. He also raised concerns about the economic impact of changes to drink-driving laws, citing Scottish experiences where such changes did not improve road safety outcomes.

The House must not lose sight of drug-driving. The commitments to testing seem rather vague. Governments have pushed for an emphasis on education and behavioural change, but the current Government's budget cuts undermine this approach. Police numbers under the Government are down by 1,300 in the latest figures. There is a real missed opportunity to improve safety for vulnerable road users and motorcyclists from bus lanes exclusion. Measures such as requiring proof of identity to register a vehicle could have been included.

Welcomes support from the shadow Secretary of State for measures against road harm. Defends the reduction in numbers killed and seriously injured during previous Government’s term. Supports minimum learning period for new drivers to ensure safety practice across various conditions. Reducing drink-drive limit would save lives and avoid serious injuries, aligning with European standards. Investing in additional police officers: 3,000 by March and 13,000 by end of Parliament.

Congratulates the Government for addressing road safety issues. Questions whether a national “Vision Zero” strategy is planned. Supports national targets aiming towards zero road deaths.

Welcomes the serious intent of the new strategy but expresses concern over delays due to consultations. Emphasises impact on older people, rural economy, and young drivers. Calls for improved public transport and support for hospitality and farming communities.

Thanked the Minister for her work on the strategy and questioned when penalty points and vehicle seizures will start for those using illegal plates.

Acknowledged Sarah Coombes' work on ghost number plates, launched five consultation documents including one on motoring offences with tougher penalties against illegal plates. Mentioned the need to await end of consultation before implementing changes.

Called for focus on drug-driving and questioned the effectiveness of reducing alcohol limits as a distraction from real issues. Asked for further details from Minister on specific measures regarding drug-driving.

Responded that the reduced alcohol limit is based on evidence showing it will save lives, similar to Scotland's approach. Mentioned drug-driving as a growing problem and commitment to crack down on it.

Thanked the Minister for her statement and called for proactive local authority action based on community concerns before fatalities occur. Highlighted issues with Lancashire Reform council's approach.

Agreed that local authorities should be more proactive in addressing road safety concerns, intending to strengthen guidance for them to listen to communities and act proactively.

Raised concern about wildlife collisions on roads, mentioning horse riders and deer fatalities. Suggested amending the Road Traffic Act 1988 to include cats and other animals in roadkill considerations.

Acknowledged concerns about rural road dangers posed by drivers hitting animals, mentioned strengthening highway code advice for horse riders and ongoing research on cat-related incidents.

Welcomed the road safety strategy, highlighted Sharlotte-Sky Naglis' tragic case and asked about changing laws to test unconscious suspects' blood for bereaved families seeking justice.

Acknowledged Claire's voice in bringing Sharlotte’s law proposal through consultation to ensure no other family faces similar pain due to lack of information.

Asked about Government considering black box technology for young drivers, citing potential savings and reduced accidents by 35% according to AA and BIBA.

Responded that results from previous research on black box technology were inconclusive but remained open to evidence-led approach if further information is provided.

Recognised the Minister’s dedication to road safety, questioned how strategy will empower communities to act proactively before serious incidents occur.

Responded that local authorities should listen to community concerns and carry out interventions proactively instead of reacting only after fatalities or serious injuries.

Praised Minister for listening to Ryan Saltern family's campaign on hit-and-run offences. Asked about timeline for bringing draft legislation once consultation closes.

Acknowledged Ben Maguire’s work and committed to acting as quickly as possible, but noted legislative process relies on parliamentary time being available.

Welcomed the strategy, highlighting its focus on reducing dangerous driving in rural areas and addressing issues like roadworks overruns, cognitive tests for drivers, and enforcement of new measures.

Emphasised the need to reduce driver frustration caused by roadworks, supporting the Government's announcement to tighten regulations on roadworks overruns. He also thanked the Minister for listening to his Bill proposals.

Welcomed the strategy but urged the Minister to go further and guarantee action on cognitive tests for drivers based on a tragic incident in Edinburgh involving an elderly driver with dementia. He requested a timeline for delivering such changes.

Supported the strategy, raising concerns about mandatory sight tests and headlamp glare issues. Asked if it would be advisable to have regular eye tests every time a driving licence is renewed.

Welcomed the enforcement on pavement parking and drug-driving measures, seeking further elaboration on how these will be enforced under the new strategy.

Asked about discussions between the Minister and Home Office to ensure that police forces have necessary funding and resources for enforcing existing driving laws. Emphasised the issue of dangerous driving in her constituency.

Sought support from the Government's strategy to crack down on illegal street racing and use of ghost plates, urging enforcement by local police forces.

Asked about current enforcement measures for drink-driving laws and requested a review or consideration of these measures given budgetary pressures affecting police forces.

Inquired if the Department is working with other public agencies to ensure targeted efforts at most at-risk areas, and asked for a commitment to act quickly on consultation responses.

Welcomed the Government’s road safety strategy and raised issues around road safety outside schools in his constituency, seeking confirmation of steps being taken by the Government to increase road safety.

Welcomed moves to crack down on unlicensed and uninsured drivers, mentioned meeting with constituents affected by dangerous driving practices, and invited further representations on car sales oversight.

Acknowledged contributions from other MPs regarding road safety issues, thanked them for their work in advocating safer streets, and announced government's consultation plans.

Called for better regulation of health-related driving licence renewals, highlighted long waiting times (16 weeks to 6 months) for medical tests and feedback, and inquired about speeding up the process.

Expressed concerns over the proposal to introduce a practical test waiting period due to existing long wait times for driving tests, urged against rushing implementation and asked for quicker resolution of test delays.

Highlighted the frequency of road accidents and deaths in Greater Manchester, praised local efforts to combat ghost number plates used by criminals, and requested tribute from the Minister for those involved.

Paid tribute to victims of road accidents, including Ashya Vanner and others, urged swift passage of legislation to prevent unnecessary deaths.

Supported local campaign for safer roads following a fatal incident in Ilkeston marketplace, asked how the strategy would make town centres safer for pedestrians.

Discussed road safety issues in her constituency where deaths are disproportionately high on rural roads, questioned the effectiveness of current drink-driving limits and highlighted the impact on families and communities.

Noted recent serious accidents at Moor Farm roundabout in her constituency, requested information on how road safety strategy interacts with infrastructure improvements under the road investment strategy.

Raised concerns over school minibus safety standards differing between private and state schools, asked for mandatory national safety standards to be implemented.

Questioned the validity of claims by other MPs against lowering blood alcohol limits, citing preventable deaths due to intoxicated drivers.

Asked for advice on how constituents could get involved in implementing road safety measures after losing a family member to a rural road accident, requested meeting to discuss further action.

Welcomed the strategy's recognition of deprivation as a factor influencing casualty rates, inquired about targeted resources for communities most at risk.

Communities in my constituency are concerned about speeding and unsafe driving on local roads. I request reassurance that this road safety strategy will empower local authorities to take proactive measures.

Uninsured drivers in Blackpool have increased, leading to higher insurance costs. The Department for Transport is working with the police on Operation Tutelage to address this issue.

I support my constituents’ concerns about road safety and welcome the Minister’s commitment to reducing avoidable deaths. I encourage people in my constituency to fill out a survey on road safety issues.

I have supported constituents whose daughter was killed by a bus driver who was driving while unfit through drugs. The strategy should include a review of penalties for drug-driving offences and methods for collecting evidence.

The road safety strategy sets out measures to reduce deaths on our roads, but it needs a timetable for implementation to reassure families. The Minister commits to establishing a new road safety board to ensure progress is made.

The A505 is one of the deadliest roads in the country, and I request that local highways authorities be empowered to take necessary actions to make it safer.

Residents in my constituency are concerned about high speeds on their roads. Despite mean average speed issues, they face challenges due to outdated guidance on setting speed limits and taking action.