Loughborough University to research technology to prevent vehicle drowning

Following the death of her 17-year-old son, Harvey, in a November 2023 car crash in Gwynedd, Crystal Owen is collaborating with Loughborough University to research technology aimed at preventing drowning during vehicle accidents.

Working alongside campaigner Andy Spavins, Owen is exploring safety solutions such as car windows that automatically lower before a vehicle becomes fully submerged. The goal is to provide passengers with a viable escape route, as doors often become impossible to open underwater.

Loughborough University’s transport safety research centre has agreed to conduct a six-to-eight-month study, which requires approximately £75,000 in funding. The findings are intended to be presented to the UK Government in a formal report. In addition to technological research, Owen has campaigned for graduated driver licensing to include minimum learning periods and restrictions on peer-age passengers for teenage drivers.