‘Dev’s Law’: Mother's campaign for safer roads sees victory in new UK vehicle tech mandate

1 day ago7 min read

A new UK road safety strategy, directly shaped by the tireless advocacy of bereaved families, has been hailed as a pivotal shift towards preventing future tragedies. At its heart is the story of Meera Naran, whose eight-year-old son Dev was killed in a 2018 motorway crash.Her campaign has now seen a critical measure—mandating Intelligent Speed Assistance in new cars—formally recognised as ‘Dev’s Law’ within the government’s plan. Ministers explicitly credited campaigners like Naran for shaping the framework, which aims to drastically cut road deaths by 2035.This personal catalyst underscores a broader policy move to adopt a ‘Safe System’ approach, learning from nations like Sweden and the Netherlands. This philosophy accepts human fallibility but seeks to design roads and vehicles to prevent fatal outcomes.The strategy marks a potential end to a decade of stalled progress on UK road safety, though significant hurdles around funding, public acceptance of new technology, and long-term political commitment remain. For Naran, the mission, which she calls ‘bigger than me,’ ensures her son’s legacy will be measured in lives saved, transforming profound personal loss into a powerful force for public good.

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#road safety

#Dev's Law

#vehicle safety technology

#UK government

#campaigner

#motorway collision

#traffic casualties