New National Road Safety Strategy: What Fleets Need to Know

The Department for Transport has just released a new Road Safety Strategy, marking the first comprehensive national update in over a decade. It sets out a clear, ambitious vision for improving safety on Great Britain's roads, with a target to significantly reduce fatal and serious collisions by 2035.

For us at Vehocheck, and for the many operators we work with, this is a pivotal moment. It represents a shift towards a more data-led, evidence-based approach to road risk—something we have championed for years. While new regulations can sometimes feel daunting, we see this as an opportunity to reinforce the vital work fleets do every day to keep our roads safe.

The strategy is structured around four key priorities designed to tackle road safety holistically: supporting road users, using technology and data, creating safer road infrastructure, and ensuring stronger enforcement.

What stands out to us as a DVSA Earned Recognition IT Supplier is the government's renewed focus on using technology, data, and innovation. The strategy outlines an intent to make greater use of vehicle technology and data sharing to understand why incidents occur. This moves the industry away from reactive measures and toward proactive prevention.

For operators, this confirms that digital compliance and robust data management aren't just "nice-to-haves"—they are becoming the standard for modern fleet management.

One of the most significant announcements in the strategy is the introduction of a National Work-Related Road Safety Charter pilot.

The statistics behind this initiative are sobering. An estimated 1 in 3 road traffic fatalities involves someone driving or riding for work. This highlights a critical area of responsibility for employers across both public and private sectors.

The new Charter aims to establish a national standard for any employer requiring staff to drive or ride for work. It is designed to be inclusive, covering a wide range of vehicle types including HGVs, vans, cars, motorcycles, and even e-cycles. By promoting good practice, accountability, and compliance with existing legislation, the Charter seeks to reduce work-related road risk significantly.

We believe this is a positive step. It supports businesses in creating a culture of safety that protects their drivers and the public alike.

Beyond the Charter, there are specific elements of the strategy that directly impact commercial vehicle operators.

Strengthening Earned Recognition

The government has explicitly stated it will look at how the Earned Recognition scheme can be developed further. The goal is to reinforce the role of compliance-led operators and potentially expand the benefits available to those who consistently demonstrate high standards.

As an approved IT supplier for the scheme, we find this incredibly encouraging. It suggests that operators who invest in doing things the right way—maintaining rigorous standards and being transparent with their data—will continue to be rewarded. It validates the hard work many of you are already doing.

Enforcement and Sanctions

The strategy places enforcement at the center of road safety. There is a clear intention to keep the penalties regime for commercial vehicles under review to ensure sanctions remain an effective deterrent. This includes looking at how enforcement applies to non-UK operators using UK roads, ensuring a level playing field for everyone.

A Data-Led Future

With the planned establishment of a Road Safety Investigation Branch, the industry is moving towards deeper, data-led analysis of collisions. This aligns perfectly with the tools we provide. Having clear, accessible data on vehicle maintenance and driver checks will be more important than ever for demonstrating compliance and learning from incidents.

We understand that navigating these changes can feel overwhelming. However, the core message of this new strategy is one of support and improvement. It is about using the tools available—training, technology, and data—to make sure everyone gets home safely at the end of the day.

At Vehocheck, we are committed to helping you align with these new standards. Whether it's through streamlining your daily walkaround checks or helping you achieve Earned Recognition status, we are here to support your journey toward a safer, more compliant fleet.