New Government Road Safety Strategy - Proposed Changes to Drink-Driving Limits & Introduction of Mandatory Eye-Tests

In August 2025 the government announced that its new Road Safety Strategy will be published this autumn 2025. The new strategy will be the first Road Safety Strategy in more than a decade.

Whilst we havent been informed of the full extent of the proposed changes, the government has indicated that they will be focusing on the causes of serious collisions, including impaired vision and impaired judgement. The government is looking to introduce mandatory eyesight tests for drivers over 70 and to reduce the legal drink drive limit.

In 2024, road traffic incidents killed 1,633 people and injured 128,375 others. Also, the government estimates that in 2022, between 290 and 320 people were killed in collisions in Great Britain where at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit.

The Case for Reform

Mandatory Eye-Tests for Over 70s

Upon turning 70, drivers must apply to renew their licence and the form somewhat suprisingly allows drivers to assess their own visual acuity, with no mandatory independent assessment.

Earlier this year Clyde and Co’s Lyndsey Orr represented one of the drivers at the linked inquest into deaths resulting from four seperate road traffic collisions in front of Dr James Adley, HM Senior Coroner for Lancashire and Blackburn. The Coroner voiced his concerns, about the lack of self reporting, concluding that in each case, the drivers sight “was well below the standard required to drive a car”.

Age UK

Age UK argues that older motorists are relatively safe compared with younger drivers. Age UK’s Charity Director, Caroline Abrahams, questions the merits of the proposal when “people can develop eye problems at any age”, suggesting instead that “a regular eye test for drivers of all ages may be a better idea, one less open to the accusation of ageism”. The Royal College of Optometrists has called for mandatory certification of sight tests at licence renewal, every ten years for all drivers, and every three years from age 70. The Institution’s President, Dr Gillian McOptom, observes that this “would enable early detection and treatment of eye conditions that may otherwise be asymptomatic”.

Reducing the Drink-Drive Limit

The new government Road Safety Strategy is also considering lowering the drink-drive limit from 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood to just 50, bringing England and Wales in line with Scotland.

2026 Changes

The proposals will go to public consultation first and if approved, changes could be introduced as early as 2026. The new Road Safety Strategy signals a renewed determination to confront persistent causes of preventable road deaths. Evidence suggests that regulation must be twinned with parallel investment in enforcement and education. The Motor Crime Team at Clyde and Co will provide a further update regarding the detail of the governments proposals when the new Road Safety Strategy consultation has been published.