The Labour government has unveiled its first comprehensive Road Safety Strategy in over a decade, aiming to drastically cut the number of serious injuries and deaths on UK roads. However, motoring experts are issuing a stark warning: the proposed measures must not disproportionately and adversely affect young and novice drivers.
Proposed Changes: Longer Learning and Stricter Drink-Drive Limits
Central to the new strategy are two major consultations. The first explores introducing a mandatory minimum learning period for learner drivers, which could be set at either three or six months. This aims to ensure new drivers gain sufficient experience before taking their test.
The second significant proposal is to lower the legal drink-drive limit in England and Wales from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath to 22mcg (0.05% blood alcohol). This would bring both nations into line with Scotland, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood stated: "Driving under the influence of alcohol puts everyone at risk. Every drink-drive collision represents a preventable tragedy. For nearly 60 years our limit has remained the same while other countries have acted. We are determined to change this."
She confirmed the consultation would "consider lower limits for all drivers, with even stricter rules for novice drivers."
Industry Experts Call for Practical Solutions
The push for reform is driven by stark statistics. According to the Road Safety Strategy, drivers aged between 17 and 24 represent just 6% of all licence holders, yet they were involved in 24% of all fatal and serious collisions in 2024.
While acknowledging the need for improved safety, Ian Mulingani, Managing Director of Young Driver, urged the government to think carefully. He warned the mandatory learning period must not become "a meaningless delay in people being able to take their test."
Mulingani proposed that pre-17 driving tuition, conducted in a structured manner with qualified instructors, should count towards the required experience. "Getting youngsters behind the wheel gives them a great insight into road safety as a pedestrian or cyclist too," he added, "allowing them to better understand things like stopping distances and blind spots."
Balancing Safety with Fairness
The government's consultation will also examine setting a minimum number of learning hours, alongside the proposed time period. The challenge will be to design a system that genuinely enhances competency and safety without creating unnecessary barriers for responsible young people.
As the Department for Transport launches its formal consultation, the debate centres on finding effective, evidence-based measures that protect all road users while ensuring new drivers are supported, not unfairly penalised, in their journey to becoming safe motorists.
