A bold new set of proposals aimed at slashing road casualties and reshaping urban mobility in London has been unveiled by Green Party London Assembly Member Caroline Russell.

The plan, set out in her report “Changing the Narrative: Ending the Acceptance of Road Death in London,” calls for sweeping policy changes to reduce road danger and shift public perceptions around street safety.

Time for change

Russell’s proposals include reducing the number of lanes on major roads, implementing area-wide loading restrictions, extending and increasing the congestion charge to evenings and weekends, and banning SUV advertising across the Transport for London (TfL) network.

She argues these changes are necessary to challenge a culture that tolerates death and serious injury on the roads as inevitable.

“Collisions, never ‘accidents’, happen daily,” Russell said. “They happen when people make mistakes. The problem is that when a driver loses control through fatigue, distraction, or recklessness, it’s often pedestrians, cyclists, or other road users who pay the price.”

Alarming road reality

Her call for action comes amid sobering data from TfL’s latest annual safety report.

In 2023/24, 98 people died on London’s roads, and 3,704 sustained serious injuries.

These figures underline how far the capital is from achieving Vision Zero, the mayor’s ambitious target of eliminating all deaths and serious injuries from road collisions by 2041.

An interim target to end deaths involving London buses by 2030 is also at risk.

Russell warns that TfL must reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured (KSIs) by 64% by 2030 to stay on track.

Without dramatic intervention, she argues, zero deaths will remain a distant aspiration.

“At a time when practical measures to reduce danger are framed as ‘anti-driver’, TfL must lead in shifting the debate,” she said. “We need streets that are inclusive, safe, and convenient for everyone, not just those behind the wheel.”

The bigger picture

The call for urgent reform in London reflects broader national concerns.

According to the Department for Transport, 1,633 people were killed and over 28,000 seriously injured on UK roads in 2023.

Vulnerable road users remain disproportionately affected: pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists accounted for more than half of all fatalities.

Children, older people, and people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable in areas with fast-moving traffic, poor crossings, or wide roads designed with cars in mind.

Campaigners have long argued that car-centric infrastructure continues to place these groups at unacceptable risk.

20/20 vision and SUVs

TfL commissioner Andy Lord recently acknowledged that “significantly more” needs to be done.

As part of an updated Vision Zero strategy due later this year, TfL is prioritising the expansion of 20mph zones, with Lord calling it the “single biggest opportunity” to cut deaths and injuries.

More than half of London’s roads within the TfL-managed red route network already have 20mph limits, and consultations are ongoing to extend this further across borough-managed streets.

Among Russell’s more controversial proposals is the call for a “tobacco-style” ban on SUV advertising, including hybrid and electric models, on public transport.

She also recommends higher parking charges for heavier vehicles and congestion charge increases, rising to £18 a day from January 2025, with possible extensions into evening hours and new charges for motorcycles.

Critics have accused Russell’s approach of being overly punitive toward drivers, but road safety advocates argue such policies are essential to shift behaviour.

Mary Creagh, former Labour MP and now chair of Living Streets, welcomed the proposals: “We need to get serious about protecting people, especially children and older people, from dangerous roads. Reallocating road space and disincentivising unnecessary driving are proven steps,” she said.

Moving forward

The proposals will be debated at City Hall and could shape future mayoral policy.

As TfL revises its Vision Zero roadmap, the balance between public acceptability and effective safety measures will be central to the conversation.

Russell concluded, “The Mayor and TfL need to lead a big conversation—one that puts people first, values life above convenience, and makes walking, cycling, and public transport the easiest, safest, and most attractive choice for everyone.”