A ROAD safety campaigner from Craven whose husband was killed by a drunk motorist is "dancing with joy" after the Government announced much tougher sentences for drunk or drugged drivers who kill or maim.

Lorraine Allaway, of Long Preston, collected well over 102,000 signatures on a petition demanding action after her motorcyclist husband Bob Allaway died after being hit by a car in Settle in October 2015.

Her petition called for life bans and greatly increased jail sentences for motorists who kill others, and was backed by Skipton MP Julian Smith.

The driver of the car which killed Bob - Andrew Crook, of Leeds - was jailed for four years and eight months.

This week ministers confirmed plans to introduce tougher sentences for killer drivers, a move which has been welcomed by campaigners across the country.

Lorraine said: "I am ecstatic - it's a great end to two years of campaigning for me personally, and for many others.

"We did not see how it could be that you take a life - and destroy the lives of families - while driving under the influence of drink and drugs and get away with a light jail sentence - or even fines.

"Now, of course, we have to make sure that the judges get the right guidelines to give out tough sentences in the future. But this is a great start. I am dancing with joy."

Under the new proposals, formulated after lengthy consultations, drivers who cause death by speeding, racing or using a mobile phone will face increased maximum sentences.

Offenders who cause death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs will also face life sentences, and a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving will be created, ministers have said.

Road safety charity Brake is one of several national organisations which have been demanding change.

The group's director of campaigns Jason Wakeford, said the announcement was: "a major victory for the families of victims and charities, including Brake, who have tirelessly campaigned for punishments which better fit road crimes that kill and seriously injure people.

"We applaud the Government for at last recognising that the statute books have been weighed against thousands of families who have had their lives torn apart through the actions of drivers who have flagrantly broken the law."

The Government proposals will:

* Increase the maximum penalty for causing death by dangerous driving from 14 years to life.

* Increase the maximum penalty for causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs from 14 years to life.

* Create a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving.