Luton MP backs new road safety strategy aimed at cutting deaths

Road users across Luton and South Bedfordshire are set to be affected by a new national road safety strategy, the first such plan introduced in more than a decade, as the government looks to tackle rising deaths and serious injuries on England’s roads.

The strategy comes after figures showed that last year an average of four people died every day on roads in England, with thousands more seriously injured. Ministers say the new approach focuses on tougher enforcement, updated road design and the use of modern vehicle technology to address what they describe as largely preventable tragedies.

Under the plans, the government will consult on lowering the drink-drive limit and take stronger action on drink and drug driving. New vehicles would be required to include enhanced safety technologies, while changes are also proposed to driver training and testing, including a minimum learning period for learner drivers. Speed limit guidance is set to be reviewed alongside investment in safer road layouts.

The strategy commits to a 65 per cent reduction in deaths and serious injuries on UK roads by 2035, using a 2022 to 2024 baseline. For children, the target is a 70 per cent reduction over the same period.

Luton South MP Rachel Hopkins said the issue regularly features in correspondence from residents and highlighted concerns about speeding, dangerous junctions and impaired driving.

Writing on her website, she said: “Constituents across Luton South and South Bedfordshire regularly contact me about road safety issues. Whether it is speeding, unsafe junctions or drink and drug driving, I know many people in our community have concerns and want to make sure we keep everyone safe.”

Hopkins also pointed to inequalities in road safety, noting that children in the most deprived neighbourhoods face a pedestrian casualty rate four times higher than those in the least deprived areas.

She said: “Improving road safety is crucial to reassuring and protecting all road users. This is especially important for children from the most deprived neighbourhoods, who face a pedestrian casualty rate four times higher than those in the least deprived areas.”

Welcoming the strategy, the MP described it as a significant shift in national policy.

She said: “I’m proud to welcome the government’s new road safety strategy. It is a landmark step that will save lives, protect vulnerable road users and ensure the high standards of safety that local people rightly expect.”