Wed Jan 07 22:08:00 UTC 2026: ### “Dev’s Law” Passed in the UK: Stricter Road Safety Norms Enacted After Indian-Origin Boy’s Death

The Story:
The United Kingdom has implemented a new series of road safety measures, including “Dev’s Law,” named after Dev Naran, an eight-year-old Indian-origin boy who died in a 2018 road accident. The new strategy, unveiled on January 7, 2026, aims to significantly reduce road deaths and serious injuries through measures addressing drink driving, improving driver training, mandatory eye tests for older drivers, and making Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) compulsory in new vehicles. The legislation is a culmination of years of campaigning by Dev’s mother, Meera Naran.

Key Points:

  • The UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) has introduced a new road safety strategy, including “Dev’s Law,” to reduce road deaths and injuries.
  • Dev Naran, an eight-year-old, died in a 2018 road accident, prompting his mother, Meera Naran, to campaign for stricter safety measures.
  • The new measures include mandatory AEB in new vehicles, improved training for young drivers, and mandatory eye tests for older motorists.
  • The government aims to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 65% by 2035, with a target of 70% for children under 16.
  • The strategy adopts the “Safe System” approach, emphasizing shared responsibility for road safety.

Critical Analysis:
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Key Takeaways:

  • Public advocacy, particularly by bereaved families, can significantly influence government policy and legislation.
  • The UK government is prioritizing road safety through a comprehensive strategy incorporating technological advancements and stricter regulations.
  • The “Safe System” approach reflects a shift towards recognizing shared responsibility in preventing road accidents.
  • The naming of the law after Dev Naran highlights the human cost of road accidents and provides a symbolic focus for the new measures.

Impact Analysis:

  • The implementation of “Dev’s Law” and the broader road safety strategy is expected to significantly reduce road deaths and serious injuries in the UK, particularly among vulnerable road users.
  • The mandatory AEB in new vehicles sets a precedent for prioritizing vehicle safety technology to mitigate the impact of human error.
  • The successful implementation of the “Safe System” approach could serve as a model for other countries seeking to improve road safety.

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