Mother wins drive ban law change

Jan Woodward started a website to persuade others to sign her petition

A Teesside mother, whose daughter was killed by a drink-driver, has helped win a change in the law on bans served by jailed motorists.

Jan Woodward's daughter Kelly, 19, from Billingham, near Stockton, was killed by a speeding driver who was twice over the legal drink-drive limit in 2005.

Mrs Woodward called for a change in the law to stop prisoners being able to serve driving bans while in jail.

New rules mean driving bans can now be imposed after a sentence is completed.

Mrs Woodward gained cross-party political support and was backed by motoring organisations and road safety charities.

Scarborough and Whitby MP Robert Goodwill raised the issue in the House of Commons after she gathered 14,000 signatures backing her campaign.

Kelly Woodward was in a car driven by a man over the drink-drive limit

She was invited to Westminster by Justice Secretary Jack Straw to see MPs pass the new legislation, giving judges additional powers to take driving bans into consideration when sentencing.

The driver of the car Kelly Woodward was travelling in was jailed for four years after admitting being twice over the drink-drive limit.

But her mother was outraged that he could be driving again just months after his release from prison.

Mr Goodwill praised Mrs Woodward's efforts and determination and said she deserved "tremendous credit".

Mrs Woodward said: "Kelly would have said I was a mum on a mission and now I have accomplished it."