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Road Safety Strategy 2026-01-08
08 January 2026
Lead MP
Lilian Greenwood
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Transport
Other Contributors: 51
At a Glance
Lilian Greenwood raised concerns about road safety strategy 2026-01-08 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Minister highlighted the new national road safety strategy aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries on British roads by 65% by 2035. She emphasised the current plateau in road safety improvements, noting that over 1,600 people died and nearly 28,000 were seriously injured last year. The strategy includes measures such as a minimum learning period for learner drivers, lower blood alcohol limits for novice drivers, mandatory vehicle safety technologies, data-led road safety investigations, infrastructure investments, enforcement measures like tougher penalties for drink and drug-driving, and partnerships with stakeholders to achieve the ambitious goals.
Richard Holden
Con
Basildon and Billericay
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.
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
MP
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.
Ruth Cadbury
Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
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.
Olly Glover
Lib Dem
Didcot and Wantage
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.
Sarah Coombes
Lab
West Bromwich
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.
Andrew Snowden
Con
Fylde
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.
Andy MacNae
Lab
Rossendale and Darwen
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.
Andrew Rosindell
Con
Romford
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.
David Williams
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent North
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.
David Davis
Con
Goole and Pocklington
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.
Jacob Collier
Lab
Burton and Uttoxeter
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.
Ben Maguire
LD
North Cornwall
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.
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
Nottingham South
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.
Mark Francois
Con
Rayleigh and Wickford
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.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
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.
Shockat Adam
Ind
Leicester South
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.
Rachel Hopkins
Lab
Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Welcomed the enforcement on pavement parking and drug-driving measures, seeking further elaboration on how these will be enforced under the new strategy.
Aphra Brandreth
Con
Chester South and Eddisbury
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.
Rachel Taylor
Lab
North Warwickshire and Bedworth
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.
Will Forster
LD
Woking
Asked about current enforcement measures for drink-driving laws and requested a review or consideration of these measures given budgetary pressures affecting police forces.
Laurence Turner
Lab
Birmingham Northfield
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.
Iqbal Mohamed
Ind
Dewsbury and Batley
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.
Ruth George
Con
Worcester
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.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
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.
Jim McMahon
Lab/Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
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.
Paul Waugh
Lab/Co-op
Rochdale
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.
Natalie Fleet
Lab
Bolsover
Paid tribute to victims of road accidents, including Ashya Vanner and others, urged swift passage of legislation to prevent unnecessary deaths.
Adam Thompson
Lab
Erewash
Supported local campaign for safer roads following a fatal incident in Ilkeston marketplace, asked how the strategy would make town centres safer for pedestrians.
Sarah Russell
Lab
Congleton
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.
Emma Foody
Lab/Co-op
Cramlington and Killingworth
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.
Sarah Edwards
Lab
Tamworth
Raised concerns over school minibus safety standards differing between private and state schools, asked for mandatory national safety standards to be implemented.
John Slinger
Lab
Rugby
Questioned the validity of claims by other MPs against lowering blood alcohol limits, citing preventable deaths due to intoxicated drivers.
Melanie Onn
Lab
Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes
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.
Luke Myer
Lab
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
Welcomed the strategy's recognition of deprivation as a factor influencing casualty rates, inquired about targeted resources for communities most at risk.
Jon Pearce
Lab
High Peak
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.
Chris Webb
Lab
Blackpool South
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.
Josh Newbury
Lab
Cannock Chase
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.
Daniel Francis
Lab
Bexleyheath and Crayford
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.
Andrew Cooper
Lab
Mid Cheshire
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.
Chris Hinchliff
Lab
North East Hertfordshire
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.
Mark Sewards
Lab
Leeds South West and Morley
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.
Government Response
The Minister outlined a comprehensive strategy including measures like consulting on lower blood alcohol limits for novice drivers, mandatory vehicle safety technologies, data-led investigations, infrastructure investments, and enforcement against dangerous driving. She emphasised the need to protect all road users while ensuring fair treatment of responsible drivers. Defends the reduction in numbers killed and seriously injured under 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. Discussed consultations on motoring offences including tougher penalties for illegal plates. Mentioned evidence supporting reduced alcohol limit and focus on drug-driving issues. Responded positively to concerns raised by MPs, confirming plans to introduce measures for reducing dangerous driving in rural areas, addressing cognitive tests for drivers, consulting on eye tests for older drivers, enforcing new drink-driving laws, and increasing road safety outside schools. Acknowledged contributions from MPs, emphasised government's commitment to addressing road safety issues through consultation and IT system improvements. Announced plans to work on reducing delays for medical licensing and addressing driving test wait times. The Department for Transport is working closely with the police on Operation Tutelage to tackle uninsured drivers. We are proposing tougher measures against them, as well as reviewing penalties for drug-driving offences. Local authorities will be empowered through updated guidance and a new road safety board.
Shadow Response
Richard Holden
Shadow Response
The shadow minister welcomed parts of the strategy but raised concerns about practical impacts on older women and economic effects on hospitality due to changes in drink-driving laws. He called for thorough assessments before implementing new measures.
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Assessment & feedback
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