'Sharlotte’s Law' bill to toughen up blood test consent presented in Parliament
It's named after a Stoke-on-Trent child killed by a driver who'd been drinking, taking drugs and speeding
Last updated 30th Apr 2024
Stoke MP Jonathan Gullis will present a Bill to Parliament on Wednesday 1st May to change Section 7A of the Road Traffic Act 1988, and calling for the introduction of ‘Sharlotte’s Law.’
Six-year-old Sharlotte-Sky Naglis was killed when out walking with her dad along Endon Road, near her home on Norton Green.
She was killed after a man, John Owen, two times over the drink drive limit with Class A Drugs in his system, speeding whilst making a phone call struck her on Endon Road in Norton Green.
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 because
John Owen was in a coma following the collision meaning he could not consent to his blood samples being taken.
Claire has described the eleven weeks of not knowing whether John Owen was over the limit as “like torture”. The law change is intended to allow blood samples to be tested without consent which would prioritise the needs of victims and their families over the perpetrator. Given that withholding blood samples from the police is a criminal offence, Gullis has described consent is an “effective formality” and that “this law change would better protect victims.”
With the backing of MPs and leading charities, Gullis hopes this Ten Minute Rule Bill will further raise awareness to the campaign.
Jonathan Gullis MP said: “It is impossible to imagine what Claire and her family went through following those harrowing events in June 2021. That’s why Claire and I have been working together to make sure the law puts victims like Sharlotte and her family first.”
“I am delighted to have cross-party support for this Ten Minute Rull Bill that puts on record our ambition to amend Section 7A of the 1988 Road Traffic Act, putting victims first, and most importantly leave a lasting legacy in name of Sharlotte-Sky Naglis.”
Claire Reynolds said: “It will be great to see Jonathan present our plans to change the law in Parliament. Ever since my beautiful daughter passed away, I have been fighting to change the law so no other family suffers like we did. This law would save families from torture and put victims first.”
“I hope this will raise awareness of ‘Sharlotte’s Law’ and I want to thank Jonathan and his team personally for helping me fight for justice.”
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