As we wait for the government’s new Road Safety Strategy in 2026, the motoring and road safety organisation, GEM Motoring Assist, has issued six proposals to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.

“For too long, road safety policy has drifted without the momentum needed to tackle some of the most persistent causes of death and serious injury,” writes the organisation. “At GEM Motoring Assist, we believe this is a moment to show real leadership – to make decisions that will save lives, not just sound good in a ministerial briefing note.”

Its six proposals are:

1. Mandatory eye testing

GEM says that the current rules mean we just need to self-declare our eyesight is fine. Even those 70 or over simply need to tick a box to say their eyesight is acceptable. The organisation says that all drivers should have to take a professional eye test when they reach 70 and have one every three years after that.

“It’s a simple, fair measure that helps identify problems before they endanger the driver and others. With an ageing driving population, mandatory eyesight testing is common sense.”• GEM Motoring Assist

2. Graduating licensing

There have been repeated calls for new drivers to have restrictions placed on when and who they drive with – as well as calls to introduce a zero tolerance alcohol policy for them. GEM has renewed the call for GDLs, believing it’s the best way to drive down death and serious injury rates, especially in the 17-24 age group.

“GEM believes we owe our new drivers the best possible start to their experiences behind the wheel.”•GEM Motoring Assist

3. Seat belts

Astonishingly, people are still not buckling up with around a quarter of those killed in crashes found to be not wearing one. GEM argues that fines alone are not enough to force people to belt up. Instead, it recommends the non-wearing of belts should result in three points on your licence as well as a large fine to encourage people to start using safety belts.

“Other European nations have adopted similar penalties to great effect.”• GEM Motoring Assist

4. Drink drive limit & testing

GEM wants to cut our drink-driving limit – compared to the majority of Europe, the limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland remains high. The organisation wants to cut the current 80mg per 100ml of blood down to Scotland’s 50mg, introduced in 2014. It also wants to see evidential breath testing that would help cut delays.

“The technology exists and is already used successfully in countries including Ireland and Australia. There is no valid reason for delay.”• GEM Motoring Assist

5. Drug driving tests

The organisation highlights that current technology for testing people who are believed to be drug driving is cumbersome and takes too long to produce reports. However, modern drug testing kits using saliva examples offer robust results and could dramatically speed up the entire process.

“Allowing this would streamline the justice process and provide a strong deterrent.”• GEM Motoring Assist

6. Immediate licence withdrawal

To drive home the severity of drug and drive driving, GEM says those that test positive should have their licences removed “on the spot”, instead of potentially being allowed to reoffend – and put other road users at risk – before their court hearing.

“Administrative suspension pending court proceedings would protect the public immediately.”• GEM Motoring Assist

GEM believes that each of its six proposals are practical and affordable with strong evidence to back up their validity. “Together, they form a powerful package capable of resetting the UK’s commitment to safer roads,” writes the organisation.

  • The government’s Road Safety Strategy is expected to be published in early 2026.

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