Major road safety changes as Hastings mum campaigns in wake of son's death
11-year-old Harry Dennis died when being struck through a windscreen by loose scaffolding which fell from a van
Major safety changes have been made on UK roads thanks to a campaign from a Hastings mum who's son was killed by a loose scaffolding board.
The Transport Minister told Maria Dennis changes have been made on the back of her raising awareness about the dangers of incorrectly secured loads, since 11-year-old Harry died in 2022.
He'd been travelling as a passenger in his dad's car through Hooe when the board fell from a van, striking him through the windscreen.
Response 'overwhelming'
She told Greatest Hits Radio that she "never imagined" her work would come to this:
"I'm just very overwhelmed and pleased that people are actually listening.
"There is a problem and changes are starting to happen."
The DVSA is now trialling a programme to enforce offences and defects relating to insecure loads.
Since the start of the operation, less than four months ago, DVSA has already recorded 2,976 encounters, identifying over 4,000 defects and offences, including 307 load-security-related defects.
Mum's determination 'inspiring', says MP
Maria has also spent time giving talks about Harry's story - as well as sharing it with drivers on the roads:
"When see them first hand, these vehicles driving around with all sorts of stuff on there, like scrap metal from industrial boilers and they're not attached to anything, it's scary.
"All you need to brake or swerve and that's just going to come flying off and the same thing's going to happen to somebody else as it's happened to us."
MP Helena Dollimore, who has been working with Maria to raise awareness, called her determination "inspiring".
"I hope that these measures will raise awareness of the dangers of unsafe loads so that other families do not have to endure this agony," she added.
Meanwhile, Minister for Transport, Lilian Greenwood MP said:
“I am grateful for the sustained focus Helena and Maria continue to bring to the important issue of improving load security.
"I continue to extend my deepest condolences to Maria for the tragic loss of her son, Harry.”
“Thank you again for your leadership and commitment on this important issue.”