Overview
- The government will consult on lowering the breath-alcohol limit in England and Wales from 35 to 22 micrograms per 100ml, aligning with Scotland, with drink-driving linked to about one in six road deaths in 2023.
- Drivers aged 70 and over could face mandatory eyesight tests, potentially every three years, and officials are considering cognitive checks to strengthen fitness-to-drive oversight.
- A minimum learning period for new motorists of three to six months is out for consultation, drawing criticism from campaigners for not adopting a full Graduated Driving Licence system.
- The Department for Transport will explore requiring some drink-drive offenders to use alcohol interlock devices and plans new powers to suspend licences for suspected drink or drug driving.
- Delivery will be overseen by a new Road Safety Board, and enforcement proposals include a crackdown on illegal ‘ghost’ number plates through tougher DVLA/DVSA/police checks and AI research.