Road users in Llanelli are set to benefit from a major new road safety initiative as the UK Labour Government announces its first Great Britain Road Safety Strategy in more than a decade.

The plan, unveiled this week, aims to make roads safer for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists amid growing concern about casualty figures. Last year, an average of four people died every day on UK roads, with thousands more seriously injured annually. Ministers say many of these incidents are preventable.

The strategy outlines a series of reforms designed to tackle the root causes of collisions, harness new technology and modernise enforcement. Among the headline measures are tougher action on drink and drug driving — including a consultation on lowering the drink-drive limit — and mandatory cutting-edge safety technology in new vehicles. Driver training and testing is also in line for reform, including a proposed minimum learning period for learner drivers. A new Road Safety Investigation Branch will be created to analyse collisions and prevent future harm.

The government has committed to reducing deaths and serious injuries on Great Britain’s roads by 65% by 2035, and by 70% among children, using a 2022–2024 baseline.

Llanelli Labour MP Dame Nia Griffith welcomed the proposals, saying road safety remains a key concern in communities across the UK.

“Making our roads safer and reducing the number of serious injuries and fatalities on our highways remains of paramount importance in all of our communities,” she said. “These proposals are a landmark step forward that will save lives, protect vulnerable road users, and ensure the high standards of safety that local people expect.”

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the move as a turning point, arguing that progress had stalled for too long.

“Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy that devastates families and communities,” she said. “We are taking decisive action to make our roads safer for everyone, from new drivers taking their first lessons to older motorists wanting to maintain their independence. The measures we are announcing today will save thousands of lives over the coming decade.”

The strategy sets out detailed delivery plans across four key areas.

Supporting road users will involve consultations on a minimum learning period for learner drivers, mandatory eyesight tests for drivers over 70, reforms to motorcycle training and licensing, and new national guidance on road safety education including a Lifelong Learning manual.

Harnessing technology and innovation includes mandating new vehicle safety technologies, establishing a Road Safety Investigation Branch and linking collision and healthcare data for prevention.

Ensuring infrastructure is safe will see an update to the Manual for Streets, support for rural road safety pilots and PRIME trials for motorcyclists, and £24 billion of investment in maintaining and improving roads.

Robust enforcement will involve consultations on lowering drink-drive limits, introducing penalty points for not wearing seat belts, tackling illegal number plates and uninsured driving, and launching a new Roads Policing Innovation Programme.

Ministers say the package represents the most comprehensive push on road safety in more than ten years, with the aim of saving lives, protecting vulnerable road users and modernising standards across the country.