CAMPAIGNERS in Wharfedale are hailing a 'major step forward' in their push to get justice for victims of criminal driving.

The family of Otley teenager Jamie Still and MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) have been campaigning for years to get tougher sentencing in place.

Now the campaign finally seems to be making headway - with the Ministry of Justice announcing plans that could see life sentences handed out to dangerous drivers who kill.

The proposals, which the Government is to consult on, could also see tougher penalties introduced for those who cause death by careless driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Sixteen year old Jamie, a St Mary's Menston School student, was killed by a drunk driver in Otley on New Year's Eve, 2010.

His mother, Karen Strong, said: "Obviously we welcome the news.

"We have long worked with Mr Mulholland to call for these changes to be made.

"We also need to ensure guidelines from the Crown Prosecution Service to judges are changed, so judges feel able to give out strong penalties that recognise the severity of criminal driving offences.

"I am certainly pleased at the announcement; our campaign will of course continue until the consultation ends and the laws are finally changed."

Currently those who commit the most serious road offences can face a maximum sentence of 14 years in jail.

In 2015, 122 people were convicted of causing death by dangerous driving – an offence which includes using mobile phones behind the wheel – and another 21 of causing death by careless driving under the influence.

The average sentence given out, however, was just under four years.

Mr Mulholland said: "I welcome the plans for tougher penalties and it is something I have long campaigned for, alongside the families of the victims.

"For far too long they have been left feeling that the person who seriously injured or killed their loved one has gotten away too lightly.

"The consultation announced by the Ministry of Justice is a major step forward in tackling this gross injustice.

"I want to pay tribute to the families, campaigners, MPs of all parties and especially the charity Brake, all of whom have long called for this.

"I particularly want to pay tribute to Jamie Still’s mother Karen and sister Rebecca, and David and Dorothy Metcalf’s* son Clive and daughter Lindsay, all of whom I have worked closely with.

"I will continue to work with them and with ministers to ensure the plans being consulted on go further so we see the relevant laws changed, too.

"Our campaign for better justice for victims has now taken a major step forward.

"The campaign will continue until the changes we have long wanted to see are finally made."

Other measures being considered in the consultation include the creation of a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving, which would carry a three-year maximum sentence.

*Mr and Mrs Metcalf, from Cookridge, were killed by a drunk driver in January 2012.