Government update issued on drivers reporting | Tech News
Cats are usually not protected by the Road Traffic Act 1988 (Image: Images By Tang Ming Tung by way of Getty Images)
The Department for Transport (DfT) has supplied an important update relating to potential laws to ‘require drivers to report collisions with cats‘. The assertion responds to an ongoing petition calling for motorists to be held ‘accountable’ ought to they fail to stop, leaving cats to ‘unnecessarily endure’.
Whilst the petition contended that legislating this matter is a ‘completely affordable and easy ask’, the DfT mentioned it has ‘no present plans’ to implement such a change. However, it emphasised that the Government’s Road Safety Strategy will ‘improve highway security for all highway customers, together with cats and different animals‘.
In a response revealed on February 3, the UK Government division mentioned: “On 7 January 2026, we published our new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all. The Strategy sets an ambitious target to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on British roads by 65% by 2035.
“This goal will focus the efforts of highway security companions throughout Britain, with measures to improve highway design, shield weak highway customers, and review motoring offences. All of this will likely be supported and monitored by a new Road Safety Board chaired by the Minister for Local Transport.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility, and this strategy reflects that. It considers action needed by government, local authorities, industry, emergency services and communities to tackle the causes of collisions and save lives. By investing in infrastructure, education, and enforcement, we are taking decisive steps to make our roads safer for everyone, which will in turn reduce the risk to all animals.”
A petition desires drivers to be held ‘accountable’ in the event that they fail to stop after hitting cats on the highway (stock image) (Image: Catherine Falls Commercial by way of Getty Images)
Additionally, the DfT highlighted part 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which requires drivers to report accidents involving specified animals, together with horses, cattle, mules, sheep, pigs, goats, canines, or donkeys. Cats and different wild animals are excluded from this as a result of the requirement solely covers animals with working standing, not home pets.
The division additionally famous that cats are significantly smaller than the opposite listed animals and are usually most energetic at daybreak or nightfall, which can depart drivers unaware they’ve struck one. Consequently, it is believed that prosecuting drivers could be ‘troublesome’ if the law had been modified.
It then continued: “In June 2024, the Government introduced compulsory cat microchipping to help reunite lost and stray cats. All cats in England over 20 weeks of age must be microchipped and registered on a compliant database, unless exempt or free-living.
“The laws is meant to improve pet welfare by growing the probability of reuniting misplaced or stray pet cats with their keepers. Defra works intently with stakeholders to speak pet microchipping necessities to the public.
“Defra has also commissioned a research project to understand the operational challenges that currently prevent some cats from being reunited with their keepers after a road traffic collision. The project will provide an evidence base to inform best practice for local authorities and is due to report later this year.
“As set out within the Animal welfare strategy for England, DEFRA will work with the pet microchip database industry to develop enhancements to the way in which the microchipping regime at the moment operates to make it simpler for vets and different customers to entry information digitally and improve the accuracy of knowledge. DEFRA may even proceed to help the roll out of cat microchipping.”
At present, the petition titled ‘Legislate to require drivers to report collisions with cats’ has attracted more than 14,000 signatures. Should it reach 100,000, it will be considered for a Parliamentary debate.
You can view the petition and its response in full at Parliament’s web site right here.
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