The launch of the government’s 2026 road safety strategy, the first in over a decade, represents an ambitious blueprint to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 65% by 2035 and a 70% reduction in the number of children (under age 16) killed or seriously injured.
In the event that the suggested proposals/consultations referenced in the strategy are carried out, what might this mean for motor insurers looking forward? In our view, the range of strategies offer the potential for:
- Road users/policyholders having a higher level of awareness of safety issues when driving (particularly relating to drink and drug issues,) which ought to translate to reduce claims numbers.
- Reduced number of criminal prosecutions for driving offences.
- Vehicle safety technology contributing to the reduction in claims frequency.
- Reduced indemnity spend if road deaths/serious injuries are reduced.
We set out below some of the key themes from the road safety strategy:
Higher standards of fitness to drive
Consultation on mandatory eyesight tests for those over age 70, with repeat tests undertaken every 3 years.
DfT pledges to develop options for cognitive testing for older drivers.
Reduction in alcohol limits for both novice and established drivers
Current drink driving limits were set in 1967 and those limits are currently the highest in Europe. DfT proposes, for learner and recently qualified drivers, to reduce their level of alcohol in the blood from 80mg to 20mg, but for all other drivers, reducing the level from 80mg to 50mg, which is the current limit in Scotland.
Convicted drivers may be required to have alcolocks installed in their vehicles. The fitting of these devices could be a condition of being allowed to drive again.
Increased Police powers where there is a suspicion of drink/drug driving.
Consideration has been given to new powers to suspend the driving licence for those suspected of committing either a drink and/or drug driving offence until attendance at court or a guilty plea.
Learner drivers
DfT will consult for the introduction of a three to six month minimum learning period to give learner drivers more time to develop their driving skills. Drivers aged between 17-24 are involved in 24% of fatal and serious collisions.
Driving for work
Government plans to introduce a National Work Related Road Safety Charter pilot to establish standards for employers whose staff drive or ride as part of the job. This plan acknowledges that related road risk from HGV drivers to delivery cyclists is a significant contributor to overall casualty numbers.
Harnessing vehicle safety technology
There will be a consultation on mandating the fitting of 18 vehicle safety technologies under the GB type approval scheme.
Using data collected by connected vehicles to better support road safety
The government will explore the opportunities to join “Data for Road Safety”. This is a European initiative whereby safety-related traffic data is exchanged between vehicle manufacturers and road operators to improve future road safety delivery.
Conclusion
Whilst the scope of the plan is impressive, a good number of the proposals do depend on potentially lengthy consultation processes to achieve the outcomes expected. Let's hope that the momentum for change is maintained so that road safety standards become elevated, which will be a clear benefit for a number of stakeholders, not least insurers.
To discuss what the road safety strategy could mean for motor insurers, speak to our motor insurance team.
