The Government’s road safety consultations have been extended until 11 May, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced.
It’s a significant moment because the consultations are a crucial part of the new road safety strategy and modernising laws and regulations on UK roads.
They include proposals around mandating new vehicle safety technologies, changes to motoring offence penalties, eyesight testing for older drivers and learner driver rules.
In short, this is about shaping what road safety looks like in the UK for the next decade, particularly with autonomous vehicles set to rollout on roads later this year, the future of smart motorways still being up for debate and headlight glare becoming a serious talking point.
For fleets, this is about gaining clarity over what the change in standards mean, from vehicle specifications to compliance expectations.
There is no doubt that road safety policy needs to reflect modern driving realities, including advanced driver assistance systems, heavier vehicles, increased traffic volumes and distracted road use, while also remaining practical for businesses operating fleets every day.
It’s clear that the debate around key road safety issues needs time to consider, with the DfT taking additional time to canvass opinion and speak to fleets, road safety campaigners and experts to ensure all factors have been considered.
We have access to more technology, data and behaviour management than ever before, but regulating road safety in 2026 and beyond is a challenge that needs a lot of consideration.
At Driving Monitor, we understand the importance of compliance in a modern fleet context, which is why Risk Monitor, Fleet Monitor and Telematics Monitor are invaluable additions for any fleet.
