The Government has set out a major overhaul of driving regulations aimed at cutting deaths and injuries on UK roads. Transport ministers faced scrutiny in the House of Commons this week as they detailed the new Road Safety Strategy, which includes contentious proposals and notable omissions.
Key Proposals in the New Safety Strategy
During questions on January 8, Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood outlined the plan's core elements. A new mandatory eyesight assessment will be introduced for drivers aged 70 and above when they renew their licence. Furthermore, learner drivers will face a compulsory learning period of between three and six months between passing their theory test and taking their practical exam.
In a significant move on drink-driving, Labour is pushing to slash alcohol limits for novice motorists. The proposal would lower the limit for learners and newly qualified drivers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland from 80mg to just 20mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. For all other drivers, the limit would fall to around 50mg, bringing it into line with the law that has been in place in Scotland for several years.
MPs Clash Over Wildlife Hazard 'Omission'
While the strategy addresses several human-focused risks, Conservative MP for Romford, Andrew Rosindell, launched a fierce critique that it ignores a critical danger. He highlighted the devastating impact of collisions with animals, which often lead to human fatalities.
"I welcome all efforts... but I heard nothing about roadkill of wildlife, horses, pets, and other animals that can also cause collisions involving the deaths of human beings," Rosindell stated. He cited stark figures from his Essex constituency, noting that up to 700 horses and 50 riders have been killed on roads in recent years.
He expanded his concern to nationwide wildlife, pointing out that an estimated 75,000 deer are killed on roads annually, alongside countless hedgehogs and other creatures. The MP directly called for an amendment to the Road Traffic Act 1988, which currently only requires drivers to report collisions with specific animals like dogs, horses, and farm livestock. There is no legal obligation to report hitting a cat or any wild animal.
Government Response and Ongoing Review
In her reply, Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood acknowledged the issue, particularly on rural roads. She pointed to recent strengthening of the Highway Code to improve safety for horse riders, urging drivers to pass them "slowly and with sufficient room."
On the specific issue of cats, Greenwood revealed that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is conducting further research. "I have listened carefully to many people who have raised with me their concerns about cats," she said, indicating the matter is under active consideration but stopping short of committing to a legal change.
The debate coincides with a public petition gaining traction, which demands a change in the law to force motorists to stop and report accidents where a cat is hit. The Government's new strategy, while ambitious, now faces pressure to broaden its scope to address what campaigners and some MPs see as a glaring and fatal gap in road safety legislation.
