ALMOST 100,000 people have signed a petition launched by a Craven widow calling for tougher sentences on people who cause death by driving when drunk, influenced by drugs or using a mobile telephone.

Lorraine Allaway, of Long Preston, started the campaign following the death of her husband, 46-year-old Bob Allaway, who was killed while riding his motorbike in Settle in October last year.

The driver of the Nissan Note car that struck Mr Allaway – Andrew Crook, 48, of Swinnow Grove in Leeds – was jailed for four years and eight months in May, and was banned from driving for five years and eight months.

He admitted causing death by careless driving while almost two-and-a-half times over the drink-drive limit. He is expected to be released after two-and-a-half years.

Mrs Allaway has also gained the sympathy of Skipton MP Julian Smith, who has said he would represent her views in Parliament and would do all he could to help her campaign.

Mrs Allaway said: "I vowed on the day the man who killed Bob was sentenced that I would campaign to get the law changed regarding sentencing of drivers who kill vulnerable road users.

"The people left behind are living a life sentence of grief. Those people who kill drivers because of drink and drugs or using a mobile phone leave prison and have their life in front of them.

"I want to see longer sentences and people who kill when driving banned for life. A driving licence is a privilege and not a God-given right. They can still celebrate Christmas with their children, birthdays and holidays and other anniversaries."

She has been amazed at the response to her petition, which she launched just two months ago, as well as by the many comments backing the campaign.

A spokesman for Brake said the campaigning charity was calling on the Government to immediately review the current charging and sentencing guidelines.

They said: "There are too many families, like the Allaways, who suffer the double trauma of losing a loved one in a sudden and violent way, and then witnessing the judicial system turning its back on them.

"That’s why we're launching our Roads to Justice campaign, which calls on Government to get tough on criminal drivers who kill or seriously injure others."

Mrs Allaway called on people to support the Pink Memorial Run on August 7, being held in memory of Bob. Bikers will arrive in Settle at noon and will be collecting money for the North West Air Ambulance.

Visit change.org/p/tougher-sentences-for-drivers-who-kill-other-road-users-whilst-driving-drunk to sign the online petition.