'Long overdue' road safety strategy to stop fatal and serious injuries across the West Midlands hailed by leaders
A ‘long overdue’ national strategy to stop people being killed or seriously injured on roads has been hailed by West Midlands leaders.
The National Road Safety Strategy, launched by the Department for Transport on Wednesday (January 7), sets out to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on UK roads by 65 per cent by 2035.
Among the plans included in the strategy are introducing lower alcohol limits and the suspension of licences for those accused of drink and drug offences.
Others include penalty points for not wearing seat belts, compulsory eye tests for older drivers and a crackdown on ‘ghost plates’.
In this region, the West Midlands Regional Road Safety Strategy and action plan was launched in 2024 which included reducing speed limits and increased enforcement of speeding, action against dangerous driving and uninsured drivers.
It aims to cut deaths and serious injuries on West Midlands roads by 50 per cent by 2030 and ‘Vision Zero’ by 2040.
Bosses said this has resulted in a slight reduction in deaths and serious injuries but added more needed to be done.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said: “This is the first national road safety strategy in over a decade, and it’s a clear sign the government is taking road safety seriously again.
“In the West Midlands, we’re determined to play our part. We’ve got the UK’s only Road Safety Commissioner, we’re backing tougher speed enforcement, safer street design and new technology to cut deaths and serious injuries – and that work is already making a difference on our roads.
“I’ve met families who have lost loved ones in road collisions, and the impact stays with you.
“Their stories are devastating, and they’re a powerful reminder that every statistic is a person, a family and a life changed forever.
“No one should have to go through that. That’s why we’re committed to Vision Zero – a clear mission to prevent deaths and serious injuries on our roads, and to make sure everyone can travel safely, no matter how they get around.
“I really welcome today’s strategy and will continue to work with the government to go even further.”
Mat MacDonald, Regional Road Safety Commissioner added: “The trauma of losing a loved one unexpectedly to the violence of a road traffic collision is simply unimaginable.
“But the lack of a coherent plan from national government for tackling traffic deaths and serious injuries on our streets up until now has only worsened
such anguish.
“This is why the new National Road Safety Strategy is so important. By accepting that every death on our road network is preventable, and outlining steps to reduce the numbers of people killed and seriously injured in collisions, the government is showing long overdue leadership on this issue.
“We look forward to working with partners across the region and beyond to put these ideas into action, preventing collisions, saving lives, and giving our children the futures they deserve.”
