Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner and Chair of Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership. Philip Seccombe has welcomed the Government’s long-awaited Road Safety Strategy, but believes more could have been included, notably stronger measures to protect young drivers and save lives by introducing Progressive Driving Licences.

The strategy sets out plans to tackle the devastating impact of collisions on UK roads by focusing on people, vehicles, roads, and enforcement. Headline proposals within the strategy include:

• New powers to suspend driving licences for those suspected of drink or drug driving offences
• Tougher penalties for those driving without a licence
• Consultation on mandatory eye tests for drivers over the age of 70
• Lowering the drink drive limit, particularly for younger drivers
• Consultation on introducing a 3 or 6 month minimum learning period for learner drivers
• New measures to target the growing problem of illegal number plates
• Crackdown on uninsured drivers and vehicles without a valid MOT
• Reforms to motorcycle training, testing and licencing

These measures are strongly welcomed, acknowledging that delivering success will need to be done in partnership with national and local organisations. However, the Commissioner feels that the strategy should go further if it hopes to meet the Government’s own aim of reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on the country’s roads by 65% by 2035.

Reflecting on the strategy, Philip Seccombe said: “I am pleased to see that this Government has finally published its strategy and provided the public with a commitment to reducing deaths and serious injuries on our roads. The impact of collisions is felt across the country, and keenly here in Warwickshire. Any steps to reduce the stark figures we see each year is welcomed.

“However, I believe that the Government can, and must, go further to protect some of the most vulnerable people on our roads – young and newly qualified drivers. I know the lack of commitment to implementing Progressive Driving Licences for young drivers will come as a significant disappointment to the bereaved families who have long been campaigning for such measures to come into place and protect future young drivers.”

Road traffic collisions are the second leading cause of death among 15–24-year-olds in the country, with other countries adopting a staged approach to acquiring driving licenses, ultimately saving young lives.

The PCC has also expressed his disappointment that the strategy does not provide a mechanism for the revenue generated locally by speeding fines to be invested back into local road safety initiatives.

Over £3.5million in fines went to the Treasury from Warwickshire in the 2024/2025 financial year. This is a significant amount of money which could be invested into protecting drivers in the future, with speed being a factor in one in six fatal collisions in the county. Such funding could greatly assist the Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership in achieving its aim of halving road deaths and serious injuries in the county by 2030.