Insurers react as government launches Road Safety Strategy

The government last week (7 January 2025) published a list of proposals to update road safety legislation under its new Road Safety Strategy, which has been conceived to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 65% over the next 10 years. 

Among the suggested rule changes designed to address the causes of collisions are new consultations on minimum learning periods for learner drivers, eye tests for older drivers and lowering the alcohol limit for driving. 

Tougher punishments are also planned for people who drive without motor insurance or an MOT, as well as people using “ghost” number plates which cannot be read by recognition cameras.

The Department for Transport’s announcement of the strategy explained that it would “help save thousands of lives and deliver on the government’s commitment to growth, safer communities and easing pressure on the NHS”. 

Heidi Alexander, secretary of state for transport, added: “Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy that devastates families and communities. For too long, progress on road safety has stalled. This strategy markers a turning point.” 

”We are taking decisive action to make our roads safer for everyone, from new drivers taking their first lessons to older motorists wanting to maintain their independence. The measures we are announcing today will save thousands of lives over the coming decade.”

The government first announced the Road Safety Strategy back in August 2025, when Insurance Times reported on proposals to ban UK motorists aged 70 and over from driving if they failed regular, mandatory sight tests. 

Insurer reaction

Measures to improve road safety have been welcomed by the insurance sector.

Responding to the Road Safety Strategy, ABI director of general insurance policy Chris Bose said: ”Improving road safety is a top priority for the motor insurance industry and the government’s renewed focus on this through its road safety strategy marks a significant step forward.

”Strengthening penalties for dangerous and uninsured driving will help deter these high risk behaviours – and is something we have previously called for in our 10 point motor roadmap. Measures that improve driver training and ensure vehicles meet modern safety standards will also help to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.”

Marco Distefano, managing director at Axa Retail, also welcomed the government’s announcement, noting that Axa has been engaging with schools across the country to champion road safety and encourage children to discuss safer driving at home. The insurer’s boss also stressed that it was vital for the government to work with the insurance industry to gather data as part of its new focus.

He explained: ”The range of safety measures, including targeted action on speeding and mobile phone use, along with clamping down on uninsured drivers, should go a long way in helping to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

“We recently conducted a survey of 2,000 motorists which found that half of drivers (53%) admitted to knowingly breaking a driving law and over a quarter (26%) admitting they drive above the legal speed limit on a regular basis.

”This highlights why it is so crucial to increase awareness about safer road behaviours and we welcome the government’s commitment to publish national guidance on road safety education and a manual for implementing a lifelong learning approach for road safety.”

A spokesperson for Admiral added: ”We see the devastating impact that dangerous driving can have on road users every day, so we welcome the government’s ambition to reduce road deaths and serious injuries with its new road safety strategy. Introducing penalty points for not wearing seatbelts and reducing the legal alcohol limit in England and Wales could help to encourage safer driving habits.

“We also welcome mandatory eye tests for those aged over 70. However, our data shows that drivers under 25 years old are almost twice as likely to be involved in a serious crash than older drivers, so it’s great to see initiatives that help to foster better driving behaviours in younger motorists being considered, such as more practice before sitting your test.”