The UK government is expected to publish an overhaul of its road safety laws as part of a new strategy coming this autumn.

Planned changes could involve mandatory eye tests for over-70s, penalty points for drivers when passengers fail to wear seatbelts and a reduction in the drink driving limit from 0.35 micrograms to 0.22.

Motoring groups are praising the proposed changes as 'much overdue' and 'a step in the right direction'.

Over 1,600 people in the UK were killed in traffic incidents last year, with a further 28,000 seriously injured. Those numbers have remained consistent over the last 15 years, after a significant reduction between 2000 and 2010.

And the current Labour government are seeking a renewed decrease, with a source telling the PA news agency: "At the end of the last Labour government, the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads was at a record low, but numbers have remained stubbornly high under successive Conservative governments. In no other circumstance would we accept 1,600 people dying, with thousands more seriously injured, costing the NHS more than £2 billion per year."

The proposed changes, which would be part of the biggest overhaul in road safety laws for decades, would include:

- Reducing the drink driving limit from 0.35 micrograms to 0.22

- Mandatory eye tests for over-70s every three years

- Medical tests for conditions such as dementia

- Penalty points for drivers when their passengers don't wear seatbelts

- Tougher penalties for uninsured drivers

- Allowing police to rely on roadside saliva tests rather than blood tests

- Tougher measures to combat 'ghost plates'

The UK is one of just three European countries that rely on drivers to self-report eyesight problems that could affect their ability behind the wheel.

Edmund King, AA President, said: "The time has come for a bold and proactive approach to road safety. This strategy is much overdue as road deaths have plateaued over the last decade.

"We believe these new measures will not only modernise our approach to saving lives but also provide renewed momentum in making our roads safer for everyone."

Nicholas Lyes of charity IAM RoadSmart said: "While many drivers over the age of 70 are safe and competent, health issues and confidence can have an impact on driving abilities, so it is sensible to review whether changes need to be made.

"We would also support reducing the drink-drive limit in England and Wales alongside measures to target drug-driving, however these would require significantly more backing for roads policing teams to effectively enforce new laws."

All proposals in the new strategy, led by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, will be subject to consultation.