A BEREAVED Rugby couple whose daughter was killed while walking to her ballet class are calling for tougher sentences for dangerous drivers.
George and Giulietta Galli-Atkinson lost their daughter Livia in 1998 when a driver mounted the pavement and ran her over.
The driver was handed a £2,000 fine and a five-year driving ban.
But now the couple’s tireless campaign for tougher sentences could finally pay off as ministers have suggested introducing stronger punishments for dangerous driving.
If approved, causing death by speeding, street racing or while on a mobile phone would carry the same sentence as manslaughter.
And offenders who cause death by driving while drunk or on drugs could be handed life sentences, an increase on the current 14 year upper limit.
Speaking to The Observer, George Galli-Atkinson vowed he would continue campaigning.
He said: “Lives are precious and the current sentences often handed out do not make sense to me.
“People need to be aware that when they get behind the wheel of a car they must be responsible.”
The Galli-Atkinsons have also promoted road safety education course Safe Drive Stay Alive, and introduced the Livia Award to recognise road traffic officers who go the extra mile to help their community.
George said: “We need to educate people about road safety so we can save more precious lives.”
Currently, the average prison term for causing death by dangerous driving is 47 months.
In 2015, 1,732 people were killed on the road – but just 181 people faced a custodial sentence as a result of their dangerous driving.
Rugby MP Mark Pawsey is backing the proposed reforms and encouraged residents to take part in the public consultation.
Speaking after meeting with Justice Minister Elizabeth Truss, Mr Pawsey said: “It has been a great privilege to support the Livia Awards and the work of the Galli-Atkinsons.
“While we can be proud the UK has one of the best records for road safety in the world, cases like that of Livia Galli-Atkinson demonstrate that there is clearly more work to be done.
“I welcome that the Government is consulting on strengthening the law on dangerous driving and I would encourage all interested residents to take part in the consultation on the Ministry of Justice’s website.”
Visit www.gov.uk/government/news/killer-drivers-to-face-to-life-sentences for more information.
