GEM Motoring Assist has urged ministers to “show real leadership” as the Government prepares to publish its long-delayed Road Safety Strategy.

The motoring and road safety organisation warns that years of policy drift have left the UK falling behind other nations on basic safety measures.

Joining in with calls from other road safety groups, they say the new strategy represents a rare chance to reverse stagnating casualty figures and address some of the most persistent causes of fatal and serious collisions.

In a detailed submission, GEM has outlined six priority reforms, all described as “modest, evidence-based and achievable within a few years”, that it wants ministers to adopt.

Mandatory eyesight testing

At the top of the list is an overhaul of eyesight rules.

Drivers currently self-declare they meet the minimum eyesight standard when renewing their licence at age 70, with no requirement for a professional test.

GEM says this is untenable at a time when the driving population is ageing rapidly.

The group is calling for compulsory vision tests when drivers reach 70, then every three years thereafter, with a 10-year testing cycle for all other licence holders to mirror passport renewal rules.

Poor eyesight is a major contributory factor in many crashes, and GEM argues that identifying problems early would prevent avoidable tragedies.

Graduated licensing for young drivers

New drivers remain disproportionately involved in collisions, and GEM says the UK should finally adopt a graduated driver licensing (GDL) system, as used in New Zealand, Canada, Australia and parts of the US.

Evidence from these countries shows that phased driving privileges, such as restrictions on night-time driving, limits on young passengers, and zero-alcohol rules, dramatically reduce casualty numbers among 17- to 24-year-olds.

Despite decades of research supporting GDL, as well as UK government discussions on the topic, political appetite has been lacking.

GEM says that must change.

Seat belt enforcement

There needs to be more substantial penalties for not wearing seat belts

With around a quarter of car occupants killed on UK roads still not wearing a seat belt, GEM wants non-compliance to carry three penalty points as well as a tougher fine.

The organisation says similar measures in Europe have delivered “clear and immediate improvements” in seat belt use.

Intoxication intolerance

The UK, excluding Scotland, continues to operate one of the highest drink-drive limits in Europe.

GEM argues for aligning with Scotland’s stricter threshold, citing international evidence that lower limits reduce drink-drive casualties.

The group also wants police to be able to use roadside evidential breath-testing equipment, already in use in Ireland and Australia, which would allow officers to process offenders more quickly, improve enforcement efficiency and strengthen deterrence.

Lengthy delays in obtaining toxicology results mean drug-driving cases often take months to progress.

GEM says modern saliva-based testing kits are reliable enough for evidential use and would dramatically speed up enforcement.

Immediate licence suspension 

Finally, GEM wants drivers who fail drug or alcohol tests to lose their licence immediately, pending court proceedings, a measure intended to prevent repeat offending during long waits for hearings.

Safer futures

The organisation says the reforms align with the internationally recognised Vision Zero principle, adopted in Sweden in 1997, which asserts that no road death is acceptable and that the transport system must be designed to minimise the consequences of human error.

GEM believes the UK could save hundreds of lives each year by embedding these measures into the new strategy.

As the country awaits publication, the group says the question is no longer about evidence or practicality, but about political courage.