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Families' drink-driving campaign Family's drink-driving campaign
(about 2 hours 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. Parents of a teenager killed by a drink-driver took 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 have collected more than 16,000 signatures for their petition.
Both families said they wanted tougher sentences imposed on careless drivers and those over the drink-drive limit.
They will present a petition for those convicted of drink-driving to be banned from driving for life.
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. His family want tougher sentences imposed on those over the limit.
The day he was killed it changed the course of everybody's life Angela Smith, mother They have presented a petition for those convicted of drink-driving to be banned from driving for life.
They also hope it will help to raise awareness in the run-up to Christmas. In Downing Street, 47 year-old Mr Palmer said: "If somebody drunk causes a fatality like this they should not get their licence back.
Aaron Palmer, who was about to start a college catering course, was killed while crossing a road near Boverton. "This offender was given a three-year ban and could have got his licence back within two years on appeal.
"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.
"If there is a fatality through drink-driving - people should have their driving license revoked."
'Devastating consequences'
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.
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 groupYOUNG 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
"As it is he will be able to drive again in March next year."
Aaron Palmer, who was about to start a college catering course, was killed while crossing a road near Boverton.
Mr Palmer, a pipe fitter added: "They say things get better with time, but they only get better for the drink-driver.
"He's able to go back on the road. What about the innocent victims and their families?"
The Palmers were accompanied by John Smith MP for the Vale of Glamorgan.
Mr Smith said the deaths were a "powerful reminder" to young motorists of the dangers.
The Palmers' campaign has been supported by another couple, Angela and John Smith from Wenvoe, whose 16-year-old son Kyle died in a crash on the Ely link road in Cardiff last year.
The day he was killed it changed the course of everybody's life Angela Smith, mother
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.