The Labour government has unveiled a sweeping New Road Safety Strategy with ambitious targets to drastically reduce fatalities on British roads. However, the plan has immediately drawn warnings from industry experts who fear it may contain critical gaps in protecting the most vulnerable group: newly qualified young drivers.
Ambitious Targets and Proposed Measures
The core of the strategy sets a bold objective: a 65% reduction in deaths and serious injuries on UK roads by 2035. An even more stringent goal aims for a 70% reduction for children under the age of 16. To achieve this, the government outlined a series of measures. These include renewed action on drink driving, improved training for young motorists, mandatory eye tests for older drivers, and the introduction of new vehicle safety requirements.
Marco Distefano, Managing Director at AXA Retail, expressed approval that the long-awaited strategy was finally published. He highlighted that its targeted focus on speeding, mobile phone use at the wheel, and uninsured drivers "should go a long way in helping to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads."
The Telematics Debate and Young Driver Risk
While the strategy's broad aims have been welcomed, a significant debate has emerged around its approach to newly qualified drivers. Sarah Vaughan of Angelica Solutions proposed a specific, practical intervention: mandating telematics technology for all newly qualified drivers for their first two years on the road.
"It's time we recognised them as a core part of the road safety ecosystem," Vaughan stated, referring to the potential role of insurers and technology in monitoring and coaching driving behaviour. This call was echoed by concerns that other proposals, such as extending waiting times before practical tests, miss the mark.
Alex Brockman, Operations Director at telematics insurtech firm ThingCo, pointed out a crucial statistic: the riskiest period for any driver is the first three months after passing their test. He argued that policies must directly address this high-risk window to be effective.
Consultation Open for Public Input
The government has now opened a formal consultation period on the strategy, which will accept submissions from the public and stakeholders until March 31, 2026. Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood framed the challenge, stating, "Learning to drive is a huge moment in a young person's life... But with that freedom comes responsibility."
She emphasised the government's dual aim: to support young people's access to work and education while ensuring their safety on the roads. The coming weeks will determine whether the final plan will incorporate mandated telematics or other targeted interventions to bridge the identified safety gap for new drivers.
