New national Road Safety Strategy published

07 January 2026

The Department for Transport has released a new Road Safety Strategy, setting out the Government’s vision for improving safety on Great Britain’s roads. This is the first comprehensive national strategy for over a decade and represents a significant shift in how road risk will be addressed across policy, enforcement and industry.

At its core, the strategy sets out ambitious long-term outcomes, aiming for a substantial reduction in fatal and serious road traffic collisions by 2035. Particular emphasis is placed on protecting younger road users, with enhanced targets for children and young people.

A strategy built around four key priorities

The strategy is structured around four overarching themes, designed to tackle road safety in a more joined-up and evidence-led way.

Supporting road users
This strand focuses on education, skills and behaviour, with proposals aimed at improving driver competence at both ends of the age spectrum. It includes measures to strengthen learning and training for new drivers, alongside proposals that consider vision and cognitive capability for older motorists.

Using technology, data and innovation
The Government intends to make greater use of vehicle technology, data sharing and post-collision analysis to better understand why incidents occur and how they can be prevented. This includes improving how collision data is collected and analysed to inform future policy development and enforcement activity.

Safer road infrastructure
There is a renewed commitment to safer road design and management, with infrastructure improvements intended to reduce risk, particularly for vulnerable road users. This includes reviewing guidance, standards and the role of local authorities in delivering safer road environments.

Stronger and more effective enforcement
The strategy places enforcement at the centre of road safety, recognising its role in deterring dangerous behaviour and improving compliance. This includes reviewing how penalties are applied and ensuring enforcement approaches remain effective and proportionate.

What the strategy means for operators

Several elements of the strategy are particularly relevant to businesses operating commercial vehicles and fleets.

Earned Recognition
The Government will look at how the Earned Recognition scheme can be developed further, reinforcing the role of compliance-led operators and potentially expanding the benefits available to those demonstrating consistently high standards.

Penalties and sanctions
There is a clear intention to keep the penalties regime for commercial vehicles under review, ensuring sanctions remain an effective deterrent. This includes consideration of how enforcement applies to non-UK operators using UK roads.

National Work-Related Road Safety Charter
A new National Work-Related Road Safety Charter will be piloted for organisations whose staff drive or ride as part of their work. Developed with input from industry, the Charter is intended to build on existing best-practice frameworks and encourage consistent standards across sectors.

Road Safety Investigation Branch
The strategy confirms plans to establish a Road Safety Investigation Branch for Great Britain. A data-led approach will underpin its work, with the potential for DVSA post-collision examinations of commercial vehicles to contribute to wider systemic analysis and learning.

Looking ahead

The strategy highlights a clear focus on improving road safety through a combination of policy reform, data-led insight and enforcement activity.

For commercial vehicle operators and employers, a number of the proposals signal areas where further guidance, consultation and potential regulatory change may follow. These developments will be relevant for those responsible for managing vehicles, drivers and work-related road risk.

The full Road Safety Strategy is available on GOV.UK and provides detailed insight into the Government’s proposed approach and next steps.

Backhouse Jones will continue to monitor developments and provide updates on consultations, regulatory changes and enforcement implications arising from the strategy.