Campaign for Sharlotte's Law back on track with support of Stoke MP
It's after the change of government meant progress through Parliament was stunted
A Stoke-on-Trent MP is promising to reignite a campaign to change the law in the name of a six-year-old girl killed by a dangerous intoxicated driver.
In 2021 Sharlotte-Sky Naglis from Norton Green was out walking with her dad along Endon Road when a man, John Owen, two times over the drink drive limit with Class A Drugs in his system, and speeding whilst making a phone call struck her.
The driver was in a coma following the collision meaning he could not consent to his blood samples being taken.
Sharlotte's Law wants blood samples of drivers to be processed without consent if involved in a death on the roads.
"It has my 100% support on that one." said Stoke-on-Trent South MP, Dr Allison Gardiner.
"I 100% agree with it. For me road safety is a huge huge issue."
It's hoped that the legislative change will refocus the law to put victims of road traffic incidents and their families first.
Presently, blood samples cannot be tested for drugs and alcohol until consent is given. In the case of Sharlotte and her family, this prolonged the investigation into her death significantly.
Former Stoke MP Jonathan Gullis was actively leading the campaign in the previous Conservative led government for the law to be introduced. He presented Sharlotte's Law as part of a Bill to Parliament on Wednesday 1st May to change Section 7A of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Progress was stunted when the General Election was called and subsequently the change of government to Labour meant previous legislative business closed.
Sharlotte's mum Claire Reynolds told us: "It's vital we get Sharlotte's Law back on track and get this bill passed. Every passing day, with the delay, more victims and more families are suffering while investigations are delayed by the current law.
"With the new changes in government it has taken us back a few steps. The 10 Minute Bill that was presented is no longer valid, so we have to secure a slot for us to secure a new 10 Minute Bill to be presented in the house. Before we do that, we need to have a meeting with the new Transport Minister. There is a lot to do."
MP Allison Gardiner continued: "I know David Williams MP wants to spearhead that and I'm certainly behind him on that one. So, Claire doesn't need to worry. We will keep driving that through for her."
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