Cumbria campaigner welcomes inquiry into road safety strategy
There are calls for graduated drivers licences as the Government’s Road Safety Strategy is examined.
Last updated 4th Jun 2026
The Transport Select Committee of the House of Commons is launching an inquiry into the Government’s Road Safety Strategy, examining its effectiveness and aims.
A Cumbrian campaigner emphasised the need for action from the government, rather than just words, calling for the inclusion of bereaved families’ voices in the strategy development.
Sharron Huddleston's been campaigning for the law change after her daughter, Caitlin, was killed in a car crash in 2017 as a front seat passenger.
She wants a Graduated Driving Licence which would prevent newly qualified teenage drivers by law from carrying their teenage friends as passengers for at least six months-to a year.
Sharron said, "We need the voices of bereaved families who have lost loved ones in preventable road traffic collisions to be listened to by the government and by the ministers that are putting the road safety strategy together."
"We can't let these horrific crashes carry on week after week, and it's really important that as bereaved families, our voices are heard as we wouldn't be bereaved families if graduated driving licensing had been implemented many years ago."
"We need action from the government. We don't want words anymore from them. We want action from them."
The Government rolled out the Road Safety Strategy in January 2026 amid calls from experts and campaigners for a detailed road safety plan.
A five-person panel of experts from organisations such as the RAC Foundation and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents will provide insights on key areas for scrutiny.
The strategy comprises goals, including a long-term aim for no fatalities or serious injuries on roads in Great Britain and a target to reduce such incidents by 65% by 2035.
During the evidence session, MPs are expected to challenge whether the strategy sufficiently supports the Government’s goals and the feasibility of the 2035 benchmarks.
The inquiry will also cover the underpinning evidence for the strategy, with a focus on balancing road safety with older drivers' independence.
Speed approaches in the strategy will be analysed, considering lessons from Wales, which reduced the default speed limit on restricted roads to 20 mph in 2023.
Additionally, the strategy references Sweden’s ‘Safe System’ approach, a well-regarded road safety framework introduced in the 1980s.
MPs will consider if the UK Government has successfully adapted Sweden’s strategies and what challenges it faces in applying the Safe System approach domestically.
Scheduled witnesses include Steve Cole, Director of Policy and Impact at RoSPA, Nicholas Lyes from IAMRoadSmart, Steve Gooding of the RAC Foundation, Jamie Hassall from PACTS, and Ross Moorlock, CEO of Brake.