More than 2,000 back Sharlotte’s Law campaign as responses handed to road safety minister
The campaign was launched in memory of six-year-old Sharlotte-Sky Naglis, who was killed in a crash in Norton Green.
More than 2,000 people have backed a campaign calling for a change in the law following the death of a six-year-old girl on roads in Stoke-on-Trent.
The responses in support of Sharlotte’s Law have now been handed directly to the government.
David Williams, MP for Stoke-on-Trent North and Kidsgrove, visited the Department for Transport this week to personally deliver the consultation responses to Lilian Greenwood, the Minister for Road Safety.
The campaign is being led by Claire Reynolds, whose daughter Sharlotte-Sky Naglis was killed in Norton Green in June 2021.
Sharlotte was six when she was struck by a driver who was under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Following the crash, the driver was left in a coma for several weeks. Under the existing law, his blood could not be tested without his consent, which led to months of delays in the investigation.
Claire has campaigned since her daughter’s death to close what she describes as a loophole in the law.
Sharlotte’s Law would amend the Road Traffic Act 1988 to allow police to take mandatory blood samples from suspects in fatal or potentially fatal driving offences, even where consent cannot be given.
Campaigners say the change could help prevent other families facing long delays and uncertainty after serious crashes.
The campaign reached a major milestone in January 2026, when Sharlotte’s Law was formally included in the government’s Road Safety Strategy.
More than 2,000 people from Stoke-on-Trent, Kidsgrove, Staffordshire and further afield have now responded to the consultation in support of the proposed change.
Claire Reynolds said the level of support meant a huge amount to her family.
She said: “Over two thousand people have taken the time to stand with us, and that means the world to me.
“Sharlotte deserves justice, and no family should ever have to go through what we went through, waiting months for answers because of a loophole in the law.
“Today feels like a real step forward, and I want to thank every single person in this community who has supported us.”
Mr Williams said the number of responses showed the strength of feeling across the local community.
He said: “Over 2,000 people from our area have taken the time to respond to this consultation, and that says everything about how much this community cares about Claire and about getting justice for Sharlotte.
“Claire has fought so hard to make sure her daughter’s death leads to real change, and I was proud to take those voices straight to the minister.”
Road Safety Minister Lilian Greenwood said the government would now consider the responses.
She said: “Too many people are dying needlessly on our roads.
“The response to this consultation, including the incredible support from people across Staffordshire, shows just how important this issue is.
“We will analyse all responses carefully and set out our next steps in the months ahead.”
The Road Safety Strategy consultation closed on 11 May and covers five separate areas of road safety policy.
The proposed change around blood testing forms part of the strand on motoring offences.
Ministers have said the government’s response will be published in the months ahead.