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Written question asked by Robbie Moore (Conservative) on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 June 2026 (named day). It was answered by Lilian Greenwood (Labour) on Monday, 22 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Roads: Accidents

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of amending the Road Traffic Act 1988 so that drivers who collide with cats are under a legal duty to stop and report the incident on animal welfare.

Answer

This Government has no plans to amend the Road Traffic Act 1988 to introduce a legal duty for drivers to report collisions with cats.

Because cats are much smaller than other specified animals, and often most active at dawn or dusk, in many cases drivers may not be aware they’ve hit them – particularly with larger vehicles. Because of that, it would be difficult to prosecute drivers if the law was changed.

This is a compassionate country and although there is no obligation to report all animal deaths on roads, drivers should, if possible, make enquiries to ascertain the owner of domestic animals, such as cats, and advise them of the situation.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
10266
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Animal welfare Accidents Roads Cats
Legislation
Road Traffic Act 1988
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk