Dev’s Law Drives UK Road Safety Reform

Published: 07 January 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The announcement of the UK’s new road safety strategy has brought renewed attention to Dev’s Law, a campaign born from personal tragedy and sustained determination. At its heart stands Meera Naran, a mother whose eight-year-old son, Dev, was killed in a motorway collision in 2018. For Naran, the formal inclusion of Dev’s Law within national policy represents more than legislative progress. It signals recognition of years spent transforming grief into evidence-based advocacy for safer roads and vehicles across Britain.

Dev’s Law focuses on mandating advanced safety technology in all new vehicles, particularly autonomous emergency braking systems. These systems are designed to detect hazards, alert drivers, and apply brakes automatically if a collision becomes imminent. Ministers confirmed that the new strategy aims to prevent thousands of deaths and serious injuries by 2035. In acknowledging campaigners during the announcement, Dev’s Law was highlighted as a central pledge reflecting the lived experiences behind policy reform.

The origins of Dev’s Law lie in a devastating chain of events on the M6 motorway. In 2018, Dev was travelling with his grandfather to visit his older brother, Neel, who was receiving hospital treatment. While returning home, their car stopped in what would once have been a hard shoulder. That stretch had been converted into a live lane as part of a smart motorway system. A lorry collided with their stationary vehicle, killing Dev instantly and causing severe injuries to his grandfather.

The consequences of the collision rippled through the family for years. Dev’s grandfather later died after enduring complications from his injuries. Neel, who had complex health needs including epilepsy, struggled profoundly after learning of his younger brother’s death. He temporarily lost the ability to speak and walk, and his health declined steadily. In 2024, Neel died, compounding the family’s loss and underscoring the enduring impact of road collisions beyond the immediate moment.

For Naran, Dev’s Law emerged from a careful examination of every factor contributing to the crash. She initially campaigned against aspects of smart motorway design, arguing that the removal of hard shoulders increased risks for stranded vehicles. Over time, her focus broadened to vehicle safety technology, particularly the absence of mandatory autonomous emergency braking in heavy goods vehicles and cars alike.

She has repeatedly stated that, had the lorry involved been fitted with autonomous braking, the collision might have been avoided. In her view, Dev’s Law is not an emotional response but a logical conclusion supported by data and international evidence. Countries where such systems are mandatory have recorded significant reductions in rear-end collisions and motorway fatalities.

Naran’s professional background has shaped her approach. At 42, she works as a senior lecturer in clinical pharmacy at De Montfort University in Leicester. Accustomed to evidence-based practice, she emphasises the importance of separating grief from policy analysis. Dev’s Law, she argues, stands on measurable outcomes rather than sentiment, even though it is deeply rooted in personal loss.

Despite technological advances, Britain has not yet required autonomous emergency braking and similar driver-assistance systems in all new vehicles. Many manufacturers include them as standard features, but regulations have lagged behind innovation. Dev’s Law seeks to close that gap, ensuring safety does not depend on optional extras or higher price points.

The government’s new road safety strategy reflects a broader shift toward preventive measures rather than reactive enforcement. Local transport minister Lilian Greenwood described the plan as grounded in evidence while shaped by voices directly affected by road collisions. She paid tribute to Naran’s persistence, acknowledging her role in keeping life-saving technologies at the forefront of political discussion.

Greenwood noted that Dev’s Law exemplifies how individual campaigns can influence national priorities when supported by robust data. The strategy outlines a long-term commitment to reducing fatalities through safer infrastructure, improved vehicle standards, and enhanced public awareness. Within that framework, Dev’s Law serves as both a symbolic and practical cornerstone.

For Naran, the recognition brings mixed emotions. She has spoken openly about the difficulty of campaigning while grieving two children and a parent. Dev had been a constant companion and supporter to Neel, helping him navigate daily challenges linked to his health conditions. After Dev’s death, Neel’s decline was gradual but heartbreaking, reinforcing Naran’s resolve to prevent similar suffering for others.

She has described her motivation as waking each day with a single purpose. That purpose is to channel grief into change that protects families she will never meet. Dev’s Law, she insists, is bigger than her own story. It represents a commitment to valuing every life on Britain’s roads, regardless of circumstance or location.

The inclusion of Dev’s Law within the national strategy marks a shift in how policymakers engage with campaigners. Rather than viewing advocacy as external pressure, the government has framed it as an essential component of informed decision-making. This approach acknowledges that statistics gain meaning when paired with human experience.

Road safety experts have welcomed the strategy, noting that mandatory safety technology aligns Britain with emerging international standards. Autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and collision alerts are increasingly seen as baseline protections rather than luxuries. Dev’s Law accelerates that transition by embedding it in long-term planning.

Critics of smart motorways have also pointed to Dev’s case as evidence of systemic risk. While the new strategy does not reverse all smart motorway schemes, it promises improved monitoring, clearer signage, and faster incident response times. These measures aim to reduce the likelihood of stationary vehicles being struck at speed.

Naran has maintained that no single reform can eliminate road deaths entirely. However, she believes layered protections significantly improve survival chances. Dev’s Law fits within that philosophy by addressing one of the most preventable causes of fatal collisions: delayed braking and human reaction time.

As Britain looks toward 2035, the strategy’s success will depend on sustained political commitment and transparent evaluation. For Naran, the journey does not end with policy announcements. She has said her campaigning will continue for life, driven by the hope that other families will be spared her experience.

Dev’s Law stands as a testament to how personal loss can inform public good when matched with evidence and perseverance. It reminds policymakers and motorists alike that behind every statistic lies a story, and behind every reform lies the possibility of lives saved.

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