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| Families' drink-driving campaign | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Parents of two teenagers killed on the roads are taking their campaign to Downing Street to call for tougher laws against "irresponsible" young drivers. | |
| Roger and Kerry Palmer, from Barry, and Angela and John Smith, of Wenvoe, will present a 16,000-signature petition. | Roger and Kerry Palmer, from Barry, and Angela and John Smith, of Wenvoe, will present a 16,000-signature petition. |
| Both families said they wanted tougher sentences imposed on careless drivers and those over the drink-drive limit. | |
| Vale of Glamorgan MP John Smith said the deaths were a "powerful reminder" to young motorists of the dangers. | Vale of Glamorgan MP John Smith said the deaths were a "powerful reminder" to young motorists of the dangers. |
| Pedestrian Aaron Palmer, 18, died after being hit by a drink-driver who was twice the legal limit on Boxing Day 2003. | Pedestrian Aaron Palmer, 18, died after being hit by a drink-driver who was twice the legal limit on Boxing Day 2003. |
| Angela and John Smith's 16-year-old son Kyle was a passenger in a car which crashed into a central reservation in 2005. | Angela and John Smith's 16-year-old son Kyle was a passenger in a car which crashed into a central reservation in 2005. |
| The parents will present the petition campaigning for those who have been convicted of drink-driving to be banned from driving for life. | The parents will present the petition campaigning for those who have been convicted of drink-driving to be banned from driving for life. |
| The day he was killed it changed the course of everybody's life Angela Smith, mother | The day he was killed it changed the course of everybody's life Angela Smith, mother |
| They also hope it will help to raise awareness in the run-up to Christmas. | They also hope it will help to raise awareness in the run-up to Christmas. |
| Aaron Palmer, who was about to start a college catering course, was killed while crossing a road near Boverton. | Aaron Palmer, who was about to start a college catering course, was killed while crossing a road near Boverton. |
| "The 21-year-old responsible got a four month sentence but was out after serving eight weeks," Mr Palmer said. | "The 21-year-old responsible got a four month sentence but was out after serving eight weeks," Mr Palmer said. |
| "He got a three year driving ban and he did try to get it reduced - but it was rejected. | "He got a three year driving ban and he did try to get it reduced - but it was rejected. |
| "If there is a fatality through drink-driving - people should have their driving license revoked." | "If there is a fatality through drink-driving - people should have their driving license revoked." |
| 'Devastating consequences' | 'Devastating consequences' |
| The Palmers have campaigned by collecting 16,000 signatures in the Llantwit Major, Rhoose and Sully areas. | The Palmers have campaigned by collecting 16,000 signatures in the Llantwit Major, Rhoose and Sully areas. |
| Angela Smith said she and her husband were supporting the Palmers' campaign after their son Kyle died on the Ely link road in Cardiff last year. | Angela Smith said she and her husband were supporting the Palmers' campaign after their son Kyle died on the Ely link road in Cardiff last year. |
| YOUNG DRIVERS AT RISK 29% of motorists killed are aged 25 or underAn 18-year-old driver is more than three times as likely to be involved in a crash as one aged 48One in five new drivers are involved in a crash in their first year of drivingDrivers aged 17-20 are seven times more at risk of crashing than all male drivers Young drivers' risk of crashing is 17 times higher between 0200-0500Source: Collated by Brake road safety group | YOUNG DRIVERS AT RISK 29% of motorists killed are aged 25 or underAn 18-year-old driver is more than three times as likely to be involved in a crash as one aged 48One in five new drivers are involved in a crash in their first year of drivingDrivers aged 17-20 are seven times more at risk of crashing than all male drivers Young drivers' risk of crashing is 17 times higher between 0200-0500Source: Collated by Brake road safety group |
| The sixth former, who attended St Cyres school in Penarth, was a rear passenger in a car, where the seat and safety belt had been removed. | The sixth former, who attended St Cyres school in Penarth, was a rear passenger in a car, where the seat and safety belt had been removed. |
| His younger brother James was also in the car and suffered head injuries. | His younger brother James was also in the car and suffered head injuries. |
| A young man from Wenvoe, who was 19 at the time, was fined £1,000 for careless driving at Cardiff Crown Court in March 2006 following the crash at more than 70mph. | A young man from Wenvoe, who was 19 at the time, was fined £1,000 for careless driving at Cardiff Crown Court in March 2006 following the crash at more than 70mph. |
| He also received a 30-month driving ban. | He also received a 30-month driving ban. |
| Mrs Smith said the accident happened on her wedding anniversary, on 20 February 2005. | Mrs Smith said the accident happened on her wedding anniversary, on 20 February 2005. |
| "The day he was killed it changed the course of everybody's life. | "The day he was killed it changed the course of everybody's life. |
| "There is a massive void for all of us - his family and friends." | "There is a massive void for all of us - his family and friends." |
| After his death Kyle's friends and family raised over £11,000 for charity. | After his death Kyle's friends and family raised over £11,000 for charity. |
| John Smith MP said he hoped the campaign would raise awareness. | John Smith MP said he hoped the campaign would raise awareness. |
| "By raising awareness of the dangers of irresponsible driving we can potentially save thousands of lives. | "By raising awareness of the dangers of irresponsible driving we can potentially save thousands of lives. |
| "The tragedies endured by the Palmer and the Smith families act as a powerful reminder to young drivers that their actions can have devastating consequences, especially in the run up to Christmas," Mr Smith said. | "The tragedies endured by the Palmer and the Smith families act as a powerful reminder to young drivers that their actions can have devastating consequences, especially in the run up to Christmas," Mr Smith said. |