THE family of an Otley teenager killed by a drink driver are backing a new manifesto on dangerous driving.
The document, calling for tougher penalties and better victim support, was drawn up by local MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North-West), working with road safety charity Brake.
Jamie Still, 16, died after being struck by a speeding car whose driver was twice over the alcohol limit, on New Year’s Eve, 2010.
Jamie’s grandfather, Peter Strong, and sister, Rebecca Still, joined Mr Mulholland and other families, Parliamentarians and campaigners for the launch of the manifesto at Westminster.
The plan was put together following a round table event attended by politicians and relatives, and hosted by the MP.
Mr Mulholland, Brake’s Road Safety Parliamentarian of the Year in 2012, said: “Sadly we still see many incidents of criminal driving, which can result in the most tragic consequences.
“This has particularly been the case for my constituents Jamie Still and David and Dorothy Metcalf, who very sadly lost their lives, but their families have had to fight for proper justice.
“The manifesto has been sent to ministers, and we will all now be campaigning for key reforms to give families across the country the justice they deserve.”
Among the changes being demanded are: l tougher sentences for dangerous drivers l better support for victims l improved investigations of accidents.
Mr Strong said: “We are very pleased as a family on how hard Greg has worked and supported us in our campaign.”
Brake’s campaigns officer Ed Morrow added: “We are proud to support the launch of this manifesto, which echoes many of the calls of Brake’s crackdown campaign.”
The driver whose car hit Jamie was jailed for four years. David and Dorothy Metcalf, of Tinshill, were killed in January, 2012, after a drunk driver, twice over the limit, drove into their car at 100mph.
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