A mother's whose sister and baby son were killed by a drink-driver in County Durham is campaigning for lifetime driving bans for motorists who kill while under the influence.

And her call has been backed by Durham's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), who has pledged to "highlight this issue at the highest level of government".

Shalorna Warner's eight-month-old son, Zackary Blades, and sister, Karlene Warner, 30, were killed when speeding drunk driver Darryl Anderson, 38, crashed into the car she was driving on the A1 between Chester-le-Street and Durham on May 31.

Anderson, from Rotherham, who had a previous conviction for drink-driving, was taking a picture of himself driving at more than 140mph.

Darryl Anderson was drunk, on his phone and speeding at 141mph when he crashed into a family car, killing a baby and his aunt (Image: Contributor)

He was jailed for 17 years for causing their deaths by dangerous driving and banned from driving for 21 years - but campaigners say the punishment does not go far enough to protect future road users.

Ms Warner has now launched a petition to change the law so anyone convicted of causing death by dangerous driving in the future will face a mandatory lifelong driving ban.

She hopes to secure 100,000 signatures to enable the issue to be discussed in Parliament. Nearly 75,000 people have so far signed the petition.

Shalorna Warner is campaigning for lifetime ban for drink-drivers who killShalorna Warner is campaigning for lifetime ban for drink-drivers who kill (Image: Contributor)

Zackary Blades and Karlene Warner died in the crash Zackary Blades and Karlene Warner died in the crash (Image: Contributor)

Darryl Anderson was jailed for 17 yearsDarryl Anderson was jailed for 17 years (Image: Contributor) Ms Warner said: "Why should anyone charged with death by dangerous driving be allowed to drive again? 

"If someone has a gun licence and shoots and kills someone, are they allowed their gun licence back? No. So why should someone using their vehicle as a weapon be allowed their driving licence back?"

Every year, an average of 1,766 people are killed in the UK due to dangerous driving.

Ms Warner said: "It's time for change. It's time for the law to reflect the magnitude of these heinous crimes.

"We call upon the UK Government to implement mandatory lifetime driving bans for those committing death by dangerous driving.

"This demand comes not only from my devastated family but from all other families who have or may suffer the same agony.

"It's high time that those who take lives on the road are permanently barred from getting behind the wheel.

"Sign the petition today for Zackary and Karlene and let's ensure that those who drink, speed and kill, never drive again."

County Durham and Darlington PCC Joy Allen, who is the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) Joint Lead on Road Safety, held a meeting with Ms Warner and her partner Jack Blades. 

Joy Allen, second from right, and other senior police representatives met with Shalorna Warner and her partner Jack BladesJoy Allen, second from right, and other senior police representatives met with Shalorna Warner and her partner Jack Blades (Image: DURHAM POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER)

The PCC has promised to do everything possible to support the campaign and raise the issue nationally.

The PCC herself has campaigned rigorously for tougher action on drink and drug driving, recently speaking at a national conference by the British Medical Association (BMA) to urgently lower the drink drive limit.  

Commissioner Allen said: "Drink or drug driving is a selfish and inexcusable act.

"It is vital our justice system sufficiently punishes those who recklessly gamble with people's lives and cause these devastating tragedies to prevent them from harming other innocent people in the future. 

"Ms Warner has suffered the most unimaginable grief and loss. I cannot put into words how courageous and inspirational she is to take this pain and apply it positively to secure vital changes that will prevent others from enduring the same heartache.

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"I will be fully supporting her efforts to highlight this issue at the highest level of government. Drug and drink driving are crimes against us all and together we must stand strong and act to avoid further unnecessary deaths.

"These issues are new priorities in my road safety work, and I will be going to great lengths to ensure our forces have the resources and technology they need to police our roads effectively. Equally, I will ensure the criminal justice system treats these appalling cases with the severity they deserve."

People can support the campaign here