Road Injuries and Deaths

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb Excerpts

Wednesday 19th November 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Wigley (PC)]

My Lords—

[Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)]

My Lords—

[Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms and Chief Whip (Lord Kennedy of Southwark) (Lab Co-op)]

We will hear from the noble Lord, Lord Wigley, please.

[Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)]

And me next?

[Lord Wigley (PC)]

I think we are distinguishable.

Is the Minister aware of the figures in Wales for the reduction in road accidents and road deaths following the reduction of the speed limit to 20 miles per hour? Although that has been controversial in some areas and needs to be adjusted, none the less, if people’s lives—children’s lives—can be saved by such a change, surely that can be studied more broadly, and should not the insurance companies be reducing the premium that road drivers pay for their insurance cover in circumstances where the number of accidents is reducing?

[Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab)]

The noble Lord makes a good point. I saw recently some very revealing figures on the reduction of accidents in Wales as a consequence of the imposition of the 20 miles per hour speed limit, although there are other views about its blanket introduction; the Government’s view is that introducing lower speed limits where it is appropriate produces the best result. I do not know about the insurance companies in terms of imposing speed limits, but we know that insurance companies should take note of better drivers and, increasingly, technology enables those companies to know where, when and how people are driving.

[Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)]

My Lords—

[Lord Pickles (Con)]

My Lords—

--- Later in debate ---

[Baroness Seccombe (Con)]

My Lords—

[Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)]

My Lords—

[Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Lab Co-op)]

We will have the noble Baroness, Lady Jones, then the noble Baroness, Lady Seccombe.

[Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)]

My Lords, I was not entirely comforted by the Minister’s answer on “alcolocks”. An alcolock is a breathalyser device that is linked to the ignition of a car, which means that somebody who has been drinking cannot start their car. This would massively reduce drink-drive casualties. Can he be a bit firmer on it?

[Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab)]

I can certainly be a bit clearer about it, because there are public service vehicles that are fitted with the same technology, for some very obvious reasons. It is right to consider all these measures in the round. That is why we are revising the road safety strategy.