New road safety measures welcomed following Westminster visit

New national rules which could significantly improve road safety have been welcomed by the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership.

The Government is expected to announce a raft of changes to driving laws this Autumn as part of its much-anticipated National Road Safety Strategy – the first to be published in over a decade, according to The Times.

It is believed this will include mandatory eye tests and health checks for older drivers, lowering the drink-drive limit and introducing tougher penalties for those caught not wearing seatbelts – all of which were recommended at a Vision Zero South West showcase event at Westminster last year.

Partnership representatives – including the chair, Police & Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez – showcased their ‘Road To Zero’ proposals to MPs and delegates at Portcullis House in November 2024.

As well as highlighting some of the hard work undertaken by the partnership in Devon and Cornwall, Vision Zero South West also called for national changes which could significantly improve safety on our roads – many of which are believed to form part of the Government’s new strategy.

The Road To Zero, devised around the world-renowned Safe System framework, also called for a number of other key changes, including:

• Prioritising investment for safer roads, including potholes
• Instant road-side bans for those caught drink and drug-driving
• Clear legislation on E-Scooters and E-Bikes
• Mandatory Intelligent Speed Assistance technology in all new UK vehicles
• Embedding road safety into the school curriculum

All Vision Zero South West members have committed to halving the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads by 2030 – so news of the Government’s proposed road safety strategy has been welcomed by the partnership.

Chairman Alison Hernandez, Police & Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly, said: “It’s really positive to hear noises which suggest the Government are taking road safety seriously.

“We believe our partnership approach to road safety in Devon & Cornwall is a good example of how these issues need to be tackled holistically from all angles – and we are starting to see positive results.

“However, there’s only so much a partnership like ours can achieve without national support from the Government in key areas.

“As such, I welcome the renewed emphasis on road safety and eagerly anticipate more details when they are revealed in Autumn.

Last year 56 people were killed and a further 622 were seriously injured on Devon & Cornwall’s roads.

Commissioner Hernandez said: “We must never forget that these aren’t just numbers. These are lives turned upside down by unimaginable tragedy and trauma.

“To remind us why our work is so important – and to pay tribute to those involved – every Vision Zero South West board meeting starts with the reading of a list of names of those who have lost their lives since we last met. This is followed by a minute’s silence in their memory.

“I use that time to remind myself of the families I’ve met who were devastated by their loss and knowing that these recent deaths will have created more families affected in this way. It spurs us on to consider, at pace, what they want us to be doing.”

Natalie Warr, Partnership manager for Vision Zero South West, added: “I am delighted to hear that the long-awaited national Road Safety Strategy is due to be published by the Government in Autumn.

“Hopefully this will include national casualty reduction targets and performance indicators, along with increased levels of funding to achieve the step change needed to prevent the heartache and pain caused by road traffic collisions.”