News Archive
DfT New Road Safety Strategy
- Tuesday January 20, 2026
The Department for Transport has published a new Road Safety Strategy, the first of its kind in over a decade. In response, the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE) has prepared a briefing to help members in understanding the context, priorities and implications of this strategy.
The strategy reflects growing concern that progress on road safety in Great Britain has slowed. In the most recent reporting year, 1,602 people were killed and almost 28,000 were seriously injured on the road network, alongside substantial economic and health impacts.
The Government has also acknowledged that the UK has fallen behind many European countries in reducing road injuries and deaths.
The strategy sets national targets for 2035, including a 65% reduction in people killed or seriously injured, and a 70% reduction for children under 16. A significant feature embraced is the Safe System approach, which moves the focus shifting from individual behaviour to managing risk across users, vehicles, speeds and infrastructure.
The briefing summarises the strategy’s four core themes which support road users, technology and data, safer infrastructure, and robust enforcement and highlights new governance arrangements, including the proposed Road Safety Investigation Branch.
The briefing also highlights opportunities for the engineering and technology sector to engage with consultations, share evidence and expertise, and support the practical delivery of safer roads.
The IHE will continue to keep members informed as the strategy moves into implementation and guidance is updated.