Alongside its new Road Safety Strategy, the Government also launched five public consultations, seeking views on several new measures aimed at reducing road risk. These consultations are your chance to help shape important decisions that could save lives and prevent serious injuries on our roads.
At Brake, the road safety charity, we support people affected by road crashes every day. We know the real impact collisions have on individuals, families and communities. But road deaths and injuries are not inevitable. They are preventable tragedies, and we know the solutions that can make a difference.
Together, our collective response to these consultations is stronger when it is supported by robust evidence. The more compelling the evidence base, and the louder our voices become, the more likely the Government is to listen and take meaningful action to save lives.
What measures are being considered in the consultations?
One of the proposals is to introduce a minimum learning period before learner drivers are eligible to take a test. This is an important first step towards strengthening the licensing system in Britain, and one that has strong public backing.
Brake’s Young Driver Safety report found that 70% of people agree there should be a minimum learning period – for example, six months – and 83% agree that learners should have a minimum number of hours of driving practice, before taking their test.
Crucially, we have swaths of evidence from around the world that measures like these work. When implemented as part of formal graduated licensing schemes, they have resulted in up to 55% fewer collisions and 83% fewer deaths.
Click here to have your say on a minimum learning period for learner drivers
The Government is also considering changes to penalties for motoring offences, including lowering the legal alcohol limit for drink-driving – currently 80mg per 100ml of blood in England, Wales and Northern Ireland – and reducing it even further for newly qualified drivers.
A driver with 50-80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood is six times more likely to be in a fatal road crash than someone who hasn’t drunk at all. The risk for young and novice drivers is even greater – and 88% of people in our Young Driver Safety research said young drivers should not be allowed to drink any alcohol when driving for six months after passing their test.
Click here to give feedback on penalties for motoring offences
A third consultation is asking whether life-saving vehicle safety technology, like intelligent speed assistance and automated emergency braking, should be fitted as standard on all new cars. Brake has long campaigned for action on these two important areas, helping to shape the General Safety Regulations that mandate this technology and that have been adopted in Northern Ireland and Europe.
This is a topic that chimes with people. As Brake showed in the Vehicle Safety Technology report, 87% said safety rating is important when choosing a new car, with 68% of drivers believing advanced emergency braking should be mandatory for all new vehicles in the UK, and 66% saying they would pay more for safety features.
We don’t think there is any good reason why drivers in Britain are not protected by the same vehicle safety requirements as drivers across Europe.
Why responding matters
Your experiences and opinions count. You don’t need to be an expert to submit a response to any of the consultations. Real-life experiences of road danger, near misses and loss all help decision-makers understand how policies affect people in the real world and have the best chance of influencing change.
That’s why it’s really important that you have your say. We must show the Government that the public is on our side – that road safety really matters to people, families and communities across the country.
The Road Safety Strategy sets ambitious targets to reduce deaths and serious injuries. But these goals will only be met if consultations lead to strong, meaningful action.
How to respond – step by step
- Visit the Road Safety Strategy page at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/road-safety-strategy
- Choose a consultation that interests you. You can respond to all of them, or just to one or two if you prefer.
- Read the summary and questions. You do not need to read every page.
- Answer in your own words. Be honest, clear and specific. Personal experiences are welcome.
- Submit your response before the deadline (which is 11 May 2026 for all five consultations).
- Share the consultation with others and encourage them to take part.
Your voice matters
Road safety is not just about statistics – it is about people. Every response helps ensure that Government decisions align with what people want, what works and what reflects the realities of everyone who uses our roads, whoever they are and however they travel.
Every death and serious injury on the roads is preventable. By telling the Government why it matters to you, you can help create safer roads for everyone.