​These provisional estimates suggest the number of drink-drive related deaths in Great Britain rose to a 10-year high in 2019.
The figures show between 240 and 320 people were killed in collisions where at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit – leading the DfT to produce a central estimate of 280 deaths.
The provisional estimate for 2019 is higher than 2018 – when there were 240 drink-drive fatalities – although the DfT says the rise is not statistically significant.
It is also the highest figure since 2009.
For the first time, the DfT has also published figures for the number of people killed or seriously injured in drink-drive collisions. This is possible due to the availability of severity adjustments for non-fatal injuries, which take into account changes in accident reporting systems.
The central estimate of the number of drink-drive KSIs in 2019 is 2,110 – an increase of 11% from 2018. This is the highest level since 2011.
However, the total number of people killed or injured in drink-drive collisions fell by 9% to a record low – from 8,680 in 2018 to 7,860 in 2019.
Download the statistical bulletin from the GOV.UK website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-in-great-britain-provisional-estimates-involving-illegal-alcohol-levels-2019/reported-road-casualties-in-great-britain-provisional-estimates-involving-illegal-alcohol-levels-2019

Casualty reduction targets “single most important policy decision” (roadsafetygb.org.uk)

If the UK wants to be taken seriously as a leader in road safety, it must stop resting on its laurels, taking credit for casualty reductions that happened in previous decades and recognise its recent poor performance. 
That’s the damning verdict of David Davies, executive director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS).
Writing for Local Transport Today, Mr Davies expresses particular criticism of the Government’s reluctance to adopt national targets to reduce road deaths – something he says is the “single most important policy decision that the UK Government could take”.
For almost three decades (1983-2010), the UK Government set ambitious casualty reduction targets. According to Mr Davies, the targets were seen as “fundamental” to the substantial reductions in death and injury that followed. 
However in 2010, policy changed and targets were abandoned.
Since then, evidence points towards Britain being in a period when the number of road fatalities is ‘broadly stable’ but not falling – in the words of the Government.
Mr Davies accuses Westminster governments of the last decade of having “ducked the issue”, paying no heed to the EU target to halve road deaths by 2020, which they endorsed in 2011.
This time last year, the Government spoke at the World Health Organisation’s Road Safety 2020 conference in Stockholm, supporting the global target of “50 by 30” in the UN road safety declaration (a 50% reduction in road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030).
At home, it set a new casualty reduction target for Highways England. Meanwhile, the governments and administrations in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and London have adopted targets for their areas. 
Mr Davies says “the missing but vital piece of the jigsaw” is a target for the UK.
He notes that simple but ambitious road casualty targets, “preferably in line with the global targets that the Government supports”, should be the cornerstone of strategy going forwards. 
Mr Davies concludes that while targets alone do not guarantee outcomes – they need to be backed by commitment, plans and resources – without them “we face another decade in which some 1,800 people will die and 30,000 will be seriously injured each year on our roads”. 

Young and novice drivers: Department for Transport on ‘L’ plates2 March 2021

The Transport Committee has published its report on young and novice drivers. It welcomes the work underway at the Department for Transport (DfT) as evidence that the Government is committed to tackling safety for drivers aged 17–24. However the Committee’s report recommends dates for the DfT to report progress on these key projects and sets out priorities for further work.

• Read the report: Road safety: young and novice drivers [HTML]
• Read the report: Road safety: young and novice drivers [PDF, 864 KB]
• Inquiry: Young and novice drivers
• Transport Committee

Key recommendationsA body of work is underway by the Department for Transport. The Committee expects to be kept informed of progress on:

• The Driver 2020 research project is exploring several technological and educational based measures and calls for a progress update by July 2021. This should include the progress and preliminary findings of its research into the effectiveness of telematic technology to improve road safety.
• The commitment to pilot a system of 'modular' learning with compulsory driver training in different driving conditions. The Committee calls for an outline of criteria which will measure the effectiveness of this pilot to be set out in the Response to its Report and an update on progress by October 2021.
• Should Northern Ireland proceed with plans to introduce Graduated Driver Licensing, the Committee recommends that the DfT liaise with the NI Executive and provide interim findings with the DfT’s conclusions by October 2021.

The Committee’s report recommends the Department undertake further work in these areas:

• A study of crash rates for older novice drivers, those aged over 25 but relatively new to driving. Research conducted by the insurance industry shows that a significant number of these drivers are involved in crashes but the details are not recorded.
• Research to investigate whether drivers who learn though intensive driving courses are at increased danger during their first two years of driving.
• The DfT should resume the study into the social and economic consequences of Graduated Driving Licensing schemes promised in its 2019 Road Safety Statement. This will provide evidence on the impacts of restrictions on the social and economic opportunities available to young and novice drivers.
• Meanwhile, the theory part of the driving test should be developed to include adequate questioning on driving at night and while carrying passengers.

Chair's commentsThe Chair of the Transport Committee, Huw Merriman MP, said:
"The tally of young people who lose their lives on our roads is a sobering reason to review the Department for Transport’s work in this area.
"Eighty-eight young car drivers died in 2019; a further 287 people including passengers and pedestrians, were killed in crashes which involved young drivers.
"Fully equipping learner drivers for driving in different situations will be essential to the Department for Transport’s success in this area.
"The Department is exploring different ways to extend the learning experience and we acknowledge the work in progress. We expect to be kept informed.
"We have not recommended Graduated Drivers Licensing be introduced.  The Committee balanced the current work of the Department with the lack of evidence demonstrating the impact of GDL on the economic and social prospects of young people at this time, particularly in rural areas.
"The committee also took into account the need for young people to be given the freedom to drive without further restrictions being imposed upon them.
"However, we are asking the Department to resume its research in this area. With GDL likely to be piloted in Northern Ireland, we encourage work with the NI Executive on sharing the learning which emerges.
"Various factors are at play in this debate. Our road vehicles are safer; technology is helping through traffic management tools and telematics devices and the driving test has been improved.
"Fewer young people are choosing to learn how to drive but we must strive to ensure that we keep young and novice drivers safe on our roads."
BackgroundBetween 2005 and 2019 the number of young drivers killed or seriously injured on UK roads reduced by 52 percent.
Figures for fatalities and serious injuries among car drivers aged 17–24 dropped year-on-year until 2012 when progress steadied for several years.
Today young car drivers remain over-represented in the statistics for involvement in fatal road traffic collisions.
In 2019, young drivers made up seven percent of all licence holders but were involved in 16 percent of fatal and serious crashes.
The sad impact of this is felt by their families and all of those involved.
Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

Did you know ...​
.... that between 2003 and 2012 the birth rate shot up? You may be saying, so what or what's that got to do with me? The good news is, from 2020 to 2029 there are going to be more 17-year-olds, and if you weren't predicting being busy enough when you go back to work, there is going to be an abundance of clients.
It gets better: in 2011 there were 47,000 ADIs registered. The figure as of September 2020 is there are now only 38,642 ADIs - more clients and less ADIs = busy, busy, busy! The question you need to ask is how can you benefit from this increase in supply and meet the demand?

Coronavirus: driver and rider trainer guidancePage summary:
How driving instructors and motorcycle trainers should work safely during coronavirus (COVID-19), business support, and restrictions on driving lessons.
Change made:
Added information about the suspension of driving lessons and tests in areas in Tier 4 in England. Updated information about the suspension of driving lessons and tests in areas in alert level 4 in Wales.
Time updated:
5:08pm, 20 December 2020

​Coronavirus: driver and rider trainer guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Daily update from GOV.​UK for:
Car driving tests
Coronavirus: driving testsPage summary:
Find out how driving tests are affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) and what changes to expect when you take your driving test.
Change made:
Added information about the suspension of driving tests in areas in Tier 4 in England. Updated information about the suspension of driving tests in areas in alert level 4 in Wales.
Time updated:
5:07pm, 20 December 2020

​Coronavirus: driving tests - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

This link will take you to their website
​
Formed in 2014, the National Associations Strategic Partnership is formed of the three main associations supporting Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs), click here to find out more about our member associations
 
By sharing ideas, best practice, experience and expertise, through sensible debate and discussion, NASP works on behalf of professional driver trainers to develop strategies to move the profession forward and tackle the key issues facing the industry.
 
Our combined membership mean that NASP is able to represent more than 20,000 driver and rider trainers.
 
As a key stakeholder to the main regulatory body for driver training (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency 'DVSA'), NASP acts as an important conduit and consultation channel between policy makers and driver trainers and works to represent the views of its respective memberships in this consultation process and shape key changes which impact the profession.
 
View the NASP agreement here

https://highwaysengland.co.uk/road-safety/vehicle-safety-checks/

Tyre tread
It’s a legal requirement that each of your tyres has a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm. Driving without the legally required amount of tread can adversely affect your grip, braking distance and steering. If you’re stopped by the police and found with illegal tyres, you could receive a £2,500 fine and 3 penalty points per tyre.

FuelIng
There were more than 7,000 breakdown incidents due to vehicles running out of fuel. Always keep your tank at least one quarter full to avoid running out on your journey. You can be issued a Fixed Penalty Notice in some locations if your breakdown was foreseeable, which includes running out of fuel.

Oil
Maintaining the correct oil level is essential as the oil lubricates, cleans, cools and protects the moving parts of your engine, preventing your engine from seizing up and breaking down.

Tyre pressure
Driving with underinflated or overinflated tyres can adversely affect your braking distance, steering, fuel efficiency and the lifetime of your tyres.


Water levels
To ensure you have good visibility, always keep your screen wash topped up so you can clear any debris or dirt off your windscreen.


Lights
​Your lights are not only essential for you; they’re also essential for other drivers to understand how you’re driving your vehicle and how you intend to manoeuvre.

Tyre pressureDriving with underinflated or overinflated tyres can adversely affect your braking distance, steering, fuel efficiency and the lifetime of your tyres.


Water levelsTo ensure you have good visibility, always keep your screen wash topped up so you can clear any debris or dirt off your windscreen.


LightsYour lights are not only essential for you; they’re also essential for other drivers to understand how you’re driving your vehicle and how you intend to manoeuvre.

Tyre pressure

Driving with underinflated or overinflated tyres can adversely affect your braking distance, steering, fuel efficiency and the lifetime of your tyres.


Water levelsTo ensure you have good visibility, always keep your screen wash topped up so you can clear any debris or dirt off your windscreen.


LightsYour lights are not only essential for you; they’re also essential for other drivers to understand how you’re driving your vehicle and how you intend to manoeuvre.